China Daily Global Edition (USA)
Brazil’s bounce
Neymar’s antics help propel his team to victory
Flaunting his flair and his finishing touch wasn’t enough. Neymar had to put his theatrics on show, too.
What became clear in Brazil’s 2-0 victory over Mexico on Monday is that the wild side of the striker’s character is going nowhere at this year’s World Cup.
“I don’t much care for criticism ... not even for praise,” said Neymar.
With a goal and an assist, Neymar propelled Brazil into the quarterfinals of a tournament it has won five times.
He also extended his platform to show the world he is as good — or better — than Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
Although Neymar has scored only two goals in four games in Russia, he entered the World Cup after spending three months recovering from a broken right foot.
That same foot helped to break Mexico’s stern resistance in Samara.
After releasing Willian with a slick backheel, Neymar raced into the penalty area and slid to tap his teammate’s return into the net.
Neymar’s toe-poked effort to beat Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in the 88th minute was diverted into the path of Roberto Firmino, who tapped in.
The world’s most expensive player has 11 goals and nine assists in his last 19 games for Brazil, but before setting up the second goal it looked like Neymar’s World Cup could be over with 20 minutes to go.
In retrospect, it turned out to be pure histrionics.
Writhing in exaggerated agony after his right ankle was stepped on — not forcefully replays suggested — by Miguel Layun, Neymar managed to get back on his feet — but not before trying to step on Layun.
Both escaped punishment, but the judgment elsewhere was less forgiving, with Neymar asked after the match if he was a diva trying to draw fouls.
“I think it’s more an attempt to undermine me than anything else,” Neymar responded.
Mexico has now lost in the last 16 at every tournament over the same period of time, extending its wait for the “quinto partido” — or fifth game — for at least another four years.
The last time Mexico reached the quarterfinals was when the country hosted the tournament in 1986.
This year’s World Cup had started so promisingly for the Central American squad.
The Mexicans opened with a win over Germany, setting the defending champion on the path to an early exit. They caused problems for Brazil, too, initially.
“He’s very agile. He’s very fast,” Brazil coach Tite said of Neymar. “Is it wrong to feign, to provoke the players in the last third of the game? It’s not a sin.”
Neymar’s dispute with Layun unfolded as the Mexico substitute tried to recover the ball. In a delayed reaction, Neymar made the most of Layun stepping on his ankle, rolling around with his hands covering his eyes.
The rapid recovery seemed miraculous.
“We wasted a lot of time because of one single player,” Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio said, without naming Neymar.
“I think this is a real shame for football, especially for kids who are watching because this has to be a sport of virility, of determination, a man’s sport and not a charade.”