Brazil’s party falls flat in the City of Joy after stalemate with Mexico

 
Stifled: Neymar is halted by Francisco Javier Rodriguez as impressive Mexico coped with everything Brazil tried
Tim Rich18 June 2014

The goalless draw with Mexico did not stop the parties that blared out everywhere here in Fortaleza, which goes under the name of ‘the City of Joy’, but it might give Luiz Felipe Scolari pause for thought when the music stops.

The man who led Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002 is not a romantic. The great debate in Brazilian football ever since the glittering play that saw them win three World Cups between 1958 and 1970 is whether the most important thing is how the Selecao play or whether they win, defined in a phrase rouba mas faz, which basically means “just get the job done”.

Scolari believes in getting the job done, which is why he said afterwards: “This is a group game, it was not the final.” However, Big Phil has some big questions to answer, not least on the squad he selected.

Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and Paris St Germain’s Lucas Moura might have provided some ammunition to forwards who are looking distinctly limited. As it is, an awful lot appears to rest on Neymar’s shoulders.

Brazil v Mexico - player ratings

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Fred, Hulk and Jo are, by the standards of Brazilian football, distinctly average frontmen. The first nearly got himself relegated with Fluminense. Hulk, who was unfit, was serenaded by Manchester City fans with chants of “You’re not incredible” when playing for Porto. Jo failed spectacularly at City and Everton and, although he did help Atletico Mineiro to the Copa Libertadores last year, his level of ability would not see him put on standby for Argentina.

In the unconvincing 3-1 win against Croatia that opened the World Cup, Fred was castigated for a dive to win a penalty. Against a Mexican side that, unlike Brazil, were more than the sum of their parts it was his complete lack of movement that led to him being substituted.

One could argue that France won a World Cup on home soil without a decent centre-forward and that Brazil endured goalless draws in their second group games while winning the Jules Rimet trophy in 1958 and 1962. However, Scolari might like to ask his employers why they allowed Diego Costa, who looks a superior striker to anything he possesses, to play for Spain. They might yet be Brazil’s opponents in the round of 16.

However, it is hard to imagine anyone the hosts face in the knockout stages will muster their resources as well as Mexico. Theirs was a classic defensive performance, based around a wonderful display from goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa who, in Fred’s words, “made at least four miraculous saves”.

The one from Neymar will linger long in the memory, not least at clubs looking to sign a keeper who is out of contract after Ajaccio’s relegation from Ligue 1 — although he has said his priority is to remain in France.

Nevertheless, Mexico were not merely a side rescued by their goalkeeper. They defended tenaciously and might have secured something more than a goalless draw but for Brazil’s keeper Julio Cesar. Dani Alves, one of the cornerstones of the Brazil defence, looked especially vulnerable.

Mexico have reached the knockout phase of the last five World Cups and the level of their performances against Cameroon and now the hosts suggest they will do the same in 2014.

Given the shambolic way Mexico stumbled into the World Cup, employing four managers in the space of six weeks and being forced into a play-off with New Zealand, this is something of a surprise.

However, Scolari would point out that the Brazil team he took to the 2002 tournament scraped into the World Cup — and then won it.

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