Brazil have defeated Mexico by two goals to nil to continue their march towards a sixth World Cup title.
Click here to re-live The Roar’s live blog.
For Mexico, it is another World Cup where the Round of 16 is their ceiling in terms of performance, despite throwing everything they had at the powerhouse of Brazil.
There were early signs that it was going to be different for Mexico as they began with bright play and a dangerous freedom in their attack. Brazil were on the back foot early. There were some risks taken yet they were calculated and Brazil were kept honest as they were forced to deal with lively play.
Carlos Vela and Andres Guardardo were influential early on for Mexico and with the match scoreless at the break, the game plan looked to be achieving its goal.
Brazil, however, never really lost their composure and Neymar and Firmino converted the two goals from very close range in two clinical moments of attack.
Both goals were less flair than tradesman-like in their execution and potentially reflected the more stoic and gutsy nature of this Brazilian squad compared to some of those from years passed.
There were few accurate shots from outside the box or decisive efforts from close range and Brazil appeared to have control of the match for long periods.
Neymar’s second half goal came off the back of brilliant work from Willian who was outstanding in providing quality ball for the front men.
Neymar himself provided silver service for Firmino to tap home late in the game after some excellent work down the left that bamboozled the Mexican defenders.
It is becoming increasingly the case that when Brazil holds firm in defence their attack seems to grow off the back of their comfort and they were able to find two nice, neat avenues to goal.
After so much promise early in the tournament, it is another sad exit for Mexico. The curse continues for them and they will wait another four years to see if the can reverse the trend of the last seven World Cup Finals campaigns.
For Brazil, it was a real statement to their challengers that they are well and truly in form and looking to win another World Cup in 2018.
With so many of the big teams already having fallen by the wayside, they might now be in the box seat, as they enter the quarter-finals.
Brazil are set to face the winner of Japan and Belgium in the next round, while Mexico face a long flight home.
Final score
Brazil 2 Mexico 0
Sam
Guest
Really - my foot is really important too, l need it to walk. What’s your point? Neymar is a jerk - end of conversation.
Nemesis
Guest
The Mexican player stood on that particular foot because the whole world of football knows Neymar's right foot was broken a few months ago & it's not fully healed. In fact, it's only because he is desperately keen to play for his country & win the World Cup that he's playing the tournament. Switzerland went after that foot in the opening match. Foot injuries heal very slowly & they often never fully recover. And, in football, the foot is critical to the performance of any outfield player.
sheek
Guest
Actually, after watching about the 6th or 7th replay, I realised the Mexican player did indeed put his foot on Neymar's lower leg. But he just rested his boot against his leg as he picked up the ball, his heel was still on the ground. It still doesn't justify Neymar's reaction. i would like to see an opposition team mock him one day when he writhes around on the ground in agony, by all of them running over to Neymar's position, all swan diving onto the ground & pretending to writhe in agony just like him. If Neymar was mocked often enough, the refs & FIFA might actually act in carding foul simulation offenders! It is definitely a form of cheating.
MQ
Guest
The BBC were getting stuck into him the other day. They narrated a story of his playing days with Santos, aged 19 or 20. He had missed a couple of penalties, so the Manager asked him not to take it when another opportunity came along, anyway, he throws an absolute tantrum on the field, and holds up play for ages, because he's refusing to follow the manager's instructions, i.e. he's stopping his team mate from taking the pen. Next game, and he's dropped. The manager is sacked by the club, and Neymar is immediately reinstated into the first team.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
How does Neymar handle the pain of getting tattooed?
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Neymar gets fouled regularly. As he carries on like a pork chop when he is (such as last night on the side line) the refs tend to be less keen on handing out cards to those who have hacked him. They are onto Neymar, particularly his wild exagerations and his well deserved reputation does him and his team more harm than good. The one time he took a dive in the box this tournament he received a yellow. He hasn't tried that since. It is a pity, as he is a fantastic talent whose own antics will prevent him from being a great. At 26 I don't have much hope he'll grow out of it.
Cool and Cold
Guest
Neymar theatrics should be punished https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICIS4r9dNRA
Bob
Guest
Yeah agreed, he is a disgrace to the sport yet let to get away with this crap time and time again? Craig Forster recently said Neymar needs to be more protected in the matches by referees?? What a load of #*::* Good to see though Neymar is been outshadowed (playing football) by his club teammates Cavani and Mbappe.
Midfielder
Guest
TWAS a great match and Mexico took it to them all match. Same as the Jap V Bel.
sam
Guest
A great footballer yes ...................but what a pathetic individual human Neymar is!! He's got simulation down to a fine art....................... he fools only those who think "its part of the game" and gives football a unique reputation that no other sport would tolerate. Where's the RED card when it's so justified?
Cool and Cold
Guest
YES
sheek
Guest
When is FIFA going to back up their "talk the talk" & actually "walk the walk" with penalising players, read Neymar, for simulating fouls. The way Neymar is carrying on is disgraceful. It's also a reason why many of my fellow Aussie mates are turned off by football. Neymar obviously thinks he can get away with this rubbish because Brazil is too valuable to world football to have its star player suspended. It's probably too much to expect a brave ref will give him one yellow card for simulation, then when he stupidly repeats the antics, gets a second yellow, meaning red. I would like to see the refs show some balls & yellow card him, but unfortunately it doesn't look as if it's going to happen at all. The guy who does get yellow carded for simulation will probably e some minor player from a minor country who will be offered as a sacrificial lamb just to show the world FIFA is serious about penalising simulation fouls. Yawn.....