The great news for Mexico is that South Korea’s shock upset of Germany kept El Tri in the tournament. The bad news is that it’s Brazil lying in wait in the Round of 16. The even worse news? That right-hand side of Mexico that just got torched by Emil Forsberg and Ludwig Augustinsson now has to stop Neymar and Philippe Coutinho. The only real news of comfort for the backtracking Miguel Layun is that Marcelo might not be there.
The way Marcelo came off the pitch makes me genuinely worried that he may be out for the rest of the tournament. #SRBBRA #FifaWorldCup2018 pic.twitter.com/kx45eKi8UE
— Layla Anna-Lee (@Laylaloves) June 27, 2018
Tite and Brazil went after Serbia with a 4-3-3 formation, with Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Willian leading the line, Coutinho, Casemiro and Paulinho comprising the midfield three.
Neymar was his mazy self, taking off on eight dribbles, attempting six shots and providing an assist.
This control from Neymar was absolutely fantastic pic.twitter.com/Q0bRSt5mYt
— KELVIN NG'ANG'A (@Lewanjoksi) June 27, 2018
He was also a major prat again — Edson Alvarez has to be ready for a bit of this.
There are people somewhere playing a game where they have to drink every time Neymar is on the ground. They are all dead after this 5 roll performance. #BRA #SRB pic.twitter.com/sHwF9ZajDR
— The18 (@the18com) June 27, 2018
The less divisive Brazilian at this tournament has surely been Coutinho, and everyone seems to be in agreement that he's some sort of player. His pass to setup Paulinho for the opener today was a little piece of magic.
#MundialTelemundo ¡Se abre el marcador! @paulinhop8 ya tiene al frente a #BRA sobre #SRB pic.twitter.com/KV0KT2ekR6
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 27, 2018
Perhaps the biggest question facing Tite is what to do at the forward position. Jesus has now gone 259 minutes without a goal in Russia, and his confidence is looking pretty jaded. His backup is some guy named Roberto Firmino.
Brazil and Mexico met at the 2014 World Cup during the group stage. Guillermo Ochoa made four world-class saves to preserve a 0-0 draw in that one.
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