Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.
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Kick off for the game is at 3pm.
There’s a debut for USA legend Hope Solo on RTÉ’s panel today.
We’re under way…
Mexico get off to a good start.
Guardado’s deflected cross is punched away by Alisson, before Lozano’s shot on the edge of the box is blocked.
Neymar gets a first sight at goal.
His shot is palmed away by Ochoa.
Mexico have been very impressive so far.
Vela looks lively and is getting plenty of joy down Brazil’s right-hand side.
Hernández runs menacingly at the Brazil defence, but João Miranda gets in a good tackle.
Mexico have been the better team so far.
Lozano’s cross narrowly eludes Hernández.
Brazil have looked vulnerable down both flanks so far.
A well-worked move ultimately sees Herrera get the ball on the edge of the box.
Casemiro, however, does well to get in a last-ditch block.
vela has been absolutely destroying fagner for 20 minutes now. we're approaching first-half substitution territory
— Ken Early (@kenearlys) July 2, 2018
Neymar gets his first real chance, wriggling away from his marker, but Ochoa gets down well to make the save.
Brazil are coming more into this game, following Mexico’s high-tempo start.
Brazil appear to have switched to a 4-4-2 formation, with Neymar and Jesus up front.
They certainly required a change, with the Mexicans dominating the opening stages.
Jesus finds space on the in the area, but Ochoa makes a relatively straightforward save from the Man City star’s shot.
Coutinho’s follow-up shot is subsequently blocked.
This is much better from Brazil, after their shaky start.
Álvarez is deservedly booked for a high challenge on Neymar.
After writhing in agony for a few moments, the PSG star dusts himself down and curls a free kick narrowly wide.
Don’t think Hirving Lozano will be at PSV for much longer.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 2, 2018
Willian is starting to see more of the ball now.
Ochoa does well to collect the Chelsea star’s powerful cross.
Filipe Luis picks up the game’s second booking.
He’s penalised for a late challenge on Vela.
HALF-TIME: BRAZIL 0-0 MEXICO
The second half has begun…
20 - Guillermo Ochoa has made 20 saves at the 2018 World Cup, more than any other goalkeeper for Mexico in a single tournament since at least 1966. Guardian.#BRA #MEX #BRAMEX #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/s5a7i1JDTv
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) July 2, 2018
Coutinho goes close, finding space inside the box and forcing another save from Ochoa.
Mexico are very much on the backfoot now. Their intense opening may have taken a lot out of them.
As I type though, Gallardo bursts forward and shoots just over.
BRAZIL 1-0 MEXICO (NEYMAR 51)
Willian’s drilled cross allows Neymar to slide the ball home into the empty net from close range.
That’s six World Cup goals now overall for the PSG star.
There are claims for a penalty, as Vela goes down under a challenge by Thiago Silva.
Judging by replays, the defender’s challenge was a fair one.
Mexico make a change.
Jonathan dos Santos is on for Álvarez.
Good football by Brazil sees Fágner cross for Paulinho, whose first-time shot is well saved by Ochoa.
Shortly thereafter, Casemiro gets booked and will miss the next match, after cynically stopping Lozano from launching a counter-attack.
Mexico make a change, with Jiménez coming on to replace Javier Hernández.
Ochoa is excellent again, as he tips over Willian’s powerful strike from the edge of the area.
If Mexico do end up progressing, a large portion of the credit deserves to go to their outstanding goalkeeper.
The energetic William makes a brilliant individual run.
He eventually gives it to Neymar, who places a shot just wide from the edge of the box.
Layún appears to have a slight stamp on Neymar as he attempts to retrieve the ball on the touchline.
The striker makes the most of it as he seemingly attempts to get his opponent in trouble.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
Goal for #BRA and it is that man Neymar#BRA 1-0 #MEX#RTEsoccer #worldcuphttps://t.co/6Qu9d33n2u pic.twitter.com/weJfXSTs3D
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 2, 2018
And here’s a look at that incident involving Neymar.
Miguel Layun is perhaps a tad fortunate not to get a yellow or worse for this clandestine act on Neymar.#RTEsoccerhttps://t.co/6Qu9d33n2u pic.twitter.com/994X5UBg1L
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 2, 2018
Brazil make a defensive change.
Fernandinho replaces Paulinho.
Brazil make another change, as they look set to see this game out.
Firmino replaces Coutinho.
Less than five minutes of normal time remain.
BRAZIL 2-0 MEXICO (FIRMINO 88)
Brazil break with Neymar down the left and his cross finds Firmino, who has the simplest of finishes having just come on the field.
Game over.
There will be six minutes of stoppage time…
Mexico are still manfully trying to open up Brazil, but it’s a lost cause at this stage.
Juan Carlos Osorio’s side can exit with their heads held high, however, having played well for a lot of this match, in addition to beating Germany in their opening game.
FULL-TIME: BRAZIL 2-0 MEXICO
Right, that’s all from me. Thanks for reading and commenting.
You can read our match report here.
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