Brazil looking like one to beat
BRAZIL has emerged from an unpredictable batch of quarter-finals as the resounding 2018 World Cup favourite after a Neymar-inspired win over ferocious Mexico.
With four-time champion Germany, two-time winner Argentina and 2010 king Spain already crashing out, the path has opened up for Brazil to extend its record by winning a sixth World Cup.
The polarising figure of Neymar scored and assisted as Brazil lifted another gear with the Russia 2018 campaign beginning to take on an eerie resemblance to Japan and Korea in 2002.
Brazil also won its secondround clash 16 years ago 2-0 — with Rivaldo and Ronaldo scoring against Belgium, which they will meet in Saturday’s quarter-final in Kazan.
With Tite seamlessly adopting the role of noted manmanager Luis Felipe Scolari aka “Big Phil”, Neymar is edging towards filling the big boots of 2002 Golden Boot winner Ronaldo.
Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino scored the sealer, after ghosting in to finish after Neymar put on the afterburners and almost caught Guillermo Ochoa off-guard with a Romario-esque toe-poke.
Neymar, 26, has got many off side back home with his theatrical dives, though Mexico defender Miguel Layun could have been sent off for a second-half stamp.
Brazil’s supporting cast left no doubt as to their views on the megastar, mobbing him after both goals.
Neymar dodged the waiting press pack but was forced to answer questions — despite the attempts of fatherly figure Tite to intervene — after receiving the official man of the match award, where he was quizzed about his histrionics.
“Look, I think it’s more an attempt to undermine me than anything else,’’ Neymar said.
“I don’t care much for criticism, or praise, because it can influence your attitude. In the last two matches I didn’t talk to the press because I didn’t want to. I just have to play, help my teammates, help my team.”
Calls are growing louder for the inclusion of Firmino, who netted just two minutes after coming on, after four impressive substitute appearances.
The fine margins of World Cup soccer were on show with the ball whisking centimetres past the boot of goalless Gabriel Jesus before Neymar, who started the attack before burst- ing into the box, finishing from Willian’s superb cross.
It was the Chelsea attacker’s best performance of the tournament, as Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho — who continued his stellar tournament — finally had some pals.
Tite later leapt to the defence of Neymar, who only returned from injury on the eve of Russia.
“Is it a sin for Neymar to dribble with the ball in the opponent’s half? I want him to do that,” Tite said. “Sometimes people don’t understand him, he’s very agile and fast.
“Neymar plays football, he doesn’t stand on people, they stand on him.”
I don’t care much for criticism, or praise, because it can influence your attitude.
— NEYMAR