NEY SHAME
Angry Mexico boss slams Brazilian ace’s theatrics
NEYMAR set Brazil on the path to the World Cup quarter-finals yesterday but again ruffled a few feathers along the way.
The PSG striker tarnished his brilliance with more theatrics, the worst when he writhed on the ground after sub Miguel Layun stepped on his ankle.
Mexico boss Juan Carlos Osorio was not impressed and effectively branded Neymar a cheat for “fake fouls”.
He raged: “We wasted a lot of time because of one particular player. It’s a shame for football. We lost time because of the referee. He gave too many fake fouls.
“There were too many stoppages. That’s a negative example for football and children who watch it. It’s a man’s sport – there shouldn’t be so much acting.”
acting. There was very little contact and every single time the referee stops the game. I am deeply sorry for Mexico’s fans that we couldn’t go further.”
When it came to the actual football, Neymar was also the main talking point. Before yesterday, his World Cup was hardly on a high-power setting. But he scored the opener just after half-time, even helping create it himself with a delicious back-heel to set up the move.
Then he put the ball on a plate for late substitute and Liverpool frontman Roberto Firmino to wrap up a thrilling win. Victory now pits Brazil against Belgium in the quarter-finals – and the five-time South American winners are beginning to look like real favourites.
Osorio was angry at the four-minute stoppage when Neymar was rolling on the ground and referee Gianluca Rocchi ignored the incident. But Neymar later hit back.
He said: “I think it’s more an attempt to undermine me than anything else. I don’t much care for criticism, not even for praise, because this can influence your attitude.
“Too many people are talking. I don’t know if it’s showing off, but I just have to play. I have to help my team-mates and my team. I’m here to win.”
Mexico gave it their all, but they could not break the defensive shield in front of Brazil keeper Alisson.
Neymar opened the scoring following a superb back-heel to Chelsea star Willian who darted into the box, crossing for Neymar to slide home.
And Firmino made sure of victory, scoring at the far post after a Neymar surge down the pitch.