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As it happened: Brazil v Mexico, World Cup last 16

Brazil faced Mexico for a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail paul@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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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.

hope

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.

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.

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.

Brazil v Mexico - FIFA World Cup 2018 - Round of 16 - Samara Stadium A Brazil fan in the stands shows her support. Tim Goode Tim Goode

HALF-TIME: BRAZIL 0-0 MEXICO

The second half has begun…

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.

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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