Although Brazil comfortably won the game against Mexico in the end, their lack of drive from midfield will see Tite ponder over what to do in the next game. Paulinho, who has put in very good performances for Brazil so far, sadly had an off-day today against Mexico. It may not be entirely his fault, though.
The Barcelona midfielder may have been asked to hang back instead of making his trademark runs into the box and that saw Brazil struggle at times when Mexico were vulnerable on the counter-attack. Brazil may have done that to avoid being hit on the counter-attack themselves but with one full-back always sitting back Paulinho did have his chances to get into the box.
On the other hand, they will now be without Casemiro after he picked up a second yellow card. Bookings are only reset after the quarter-final so the Selecao will have to play Fernandinho alongside Paulinho in midfield against Belgium or Japan.
Nevertheless, for now, Brazil will celebrate yet another entry into the quarter-finals of the World Cup and they are still one of the favourites for the trophy.