Defiant Mexico hold on for draw
[caption id="attachment_36288" align="alignright" width="300"] SHEER DETERMINATION: Brazil's Paulinho and Mexico's Jose Juan Vazquez compete for the ball in the World Cup match last night. Picture: GETTY IMAGES[/caption]
GOALKEEPER Guillermo Ochoa produced an inspired performance as Mexico held World Cup hosts Brazil to a frustrating 0-0 draw in a Group A match in Fortaleza last night.
Ochoa twice made decisive interventions to deny Neymar before coming up with a stunning save to keep out a Thiago Silva header from point- blank range four minutes from the end of a scrappy encounter in the steaming heat of the Castelao Stadium.
Always eager to attack, Mexico were well worthy of a draw which leaves both sides level on four points in the group and, even with Croatia and Cameroon set to meet each other in Manaus on Wednesday, ensures that the section will not be decided until the final round of games on June 23.
The enormity of the occasion clearly got to some of the Brazil players, with Neymar breaking down in tears at the end of a rousing version of the national anthem, and the home side struggled to settle in the early stages of the match.
Passes were wayward and challenges were mistimed as the nervous energy of the crowd inside the 60342- capacity stadium made for a frantic start to the game.
Indeed Mexico, backed by a colourful and vociferous support of their own, initially looked the better team and had the first real chance of the afternoon, a rising strike from just outside the area by Hector Herrera that was turned over the bar by Julio Cesar in the home goal, although no corner was given.
While Mexico were unchanged from their 1-0 victory against Cameroon on Friday, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari made one alteration from the side that defeated Croatia 3-1 in their opening game in Sao Paulo on Thursday, with Ramires replacing Hulk, who failed to fully shake off a niggling hamstring problem in time to start.
That meant Oscar was moved from the right flank, where he had been outstanding against Croatia, to the left.
But it was from the right that the home side created their first opening, a cross from Dani Alves being headed goalwards by Neymar at the back post, only for Ochoa to make a superb save flying low to his right.
Ochoa also did well to deny Paulinho after Silva had chested a Neymar free kick into the Tottenham Hotspur player's path, but otherwise the Mexican keeper was not seriously tested in a first period in which Brazil failed to stamp their authority on proceedings.
Midfielder Jose Vazquez also tried his luck from range for El Tri, while an agitated Scolari instructed Ramires and Oscar to change positions.
Nevertheless, the latter was ineffective and, after picking up a yellow card for a foul on Paul Aguilar, did not reappear for the second half.
Diminutive Shakhtar Donetsk winger Bernard took his place and almost had an immediate impact, latching onto a Dani Alves ball over the top before delivering a cross that almost found Neymar at the back post.
The Mexican threat remained, and both Vazquez and Hector Herrera shot narrowly over, but the biggest problem for Brazil remained Ochoa.
He again came to his team's rescue in the 69th minute, producing another decisive stop to deny Neymar, who had controlled the ball on his chest before volleying goalward.
But Ochoa remained the hero to the last, brilliantly intervening after Brazil captain Silva, unmarked six yards out, connected with Neymar's free kick delivery from the left.
In last night's earlier match, much-fancied Belgium fought back from a goal down to score twice in the final 20 minutes and earn a hard-fought 2-1 victory over gutsy Algeria in their World Cup Group H opener.
Goals from substitutes Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens turned the game around after Algeria playmaker Sofiane Feghouli had given them a 25th minute lead with a penalty at the Mineirao stadium.
"It was a tough match but we were patient throughout and at the end we were rewarded," Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said.
Belgium, back at the World Cup after a 12-year absence, enjoyed the majority of possession, but struggled to break down a disciplined two-line Algerian defence which kept Eden Hazard and forward Romelu Lukaku well in check.
The Algerian posed little threat up front with winger Riyad Mahrez firing well wide in their only foray in the Belgian box early in the game. – Reuters, AFP
