Brazil have defeated Mexico by two goals to nil to continue their march towards a sixth World Cup title.
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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
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