After their controversial 3-1 win over Croatia in the Group A opener last week, Brazil tied with Mexico in Fortaleza, ending the hosts’ 10-game winning streak in the process.
The hosts were frustrated by a hard-working Mexico defense, and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa made two outstanding saves to deny Neymar.
Ochoa went full length to brilliantly beat out a header from Neymar in the first half, blocked a fierce shot from the forward in the second and then stopped a thumping Thiago Silva header on the line late on.
The Mexicans enjoyed brief periods of domination themselves in the second half and, if they had been more accurate with their long-range shooting, might have snatched all three points.
«It was a very difficult match,» Ochoa told reporters. «We knew it would be tough for Brazil because they’re playing in their country. We knew we would have to be focused 100 percent for all the 90 minutes.»
«There was a chance here, a chance there, it was very tight,» Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said.
The result leaves both teams on four points after their opening victories, with Croatia and Cameroon, who meet on Thursday, both pointless.
buenosairesherald.com