Mexico’s 2-0 elimination from the 2018 World Cup at the hands of Brazil will live long in the memory. Stunning victories over Germany and South Korea, coupled with a miraculous qualification to the Round of 16 despite that huge letdown against Sweden, had served to enhance the El Tri narrative to a fever pitch ahead of the match at Samara Arena.
A clash with the five-time world champions is always special, but this truly had the feeling of a once-in-a-lifetime event. The game didn’t disappoint.
If you’re looking for evidence of a breathtaking 0-0 soccer game, just look at the opening 45 minutes here. Mexico gave Brazil hell for the opening 20, but the South American side slowly grew into the game and we had a back-and-forth affair roaring before the half came to a close.
However, the warning signs were there for Mexico — Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Willian had started to find joy. In the second half, it wasn’t a vintage display of Brazilian attacking might that overwhelmed Mexico, but the trio provided enough singular moments to carve out the two-goal victory.
Mexico only landed one shot on target and Memo Ochoa made eight saves, painting a picture of Brazilian dominance on the night, but you always had the feeling that one moment from Chucky Lozano or Carlos Vela (who both looked sharp) could’ve easily matched the output we saw from Brazil.
It never arrived, and we’re left with these truly heartbreaking scenes from Mexico’s World Cup exit. The six empty beer glasses is just an awesome touch.
#MundialTelemundo ¡Se acabó el sueño! La afición de #MEX inconsolable tras la derrota ante #BRA pic.twitter.com/uvEalIH8gT
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 2, 2018
#MundialTelemundo @yosoy8a consideró merecido el triunfo para #BRA. pic.twitter.com/bvKxdQYNXE
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 2, 2018
Neymar was the difference — not that Mexico was impressed.
“We had control of the match, but to me it is just shameful that so much time could be lost over one player,” said Juan Carlos Osorio with regards to Neymar’s hysterics. “The delay for one player was even four minutes, and that is a lesson for even children who play. This should be a game of men and not so much clowning around.”
Neymar didn’t back down in his response.
“They stepped on me; that wasn’t fair. You can’t do that,” he told TV Globo. “They talked a lot but now they’re going home.”
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