‘Low-key’ Brazil frustrated by Guillermo Ochoa and Mexico

'Underwhelming and unimpressive', Brazil on Tuesday displayed 'hardly the performance of potential champions' against Mexico, writes Richard Jolly.

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa dives for the ball during his side's 2014 World Cup Group A match with Brazil on Tuesday, which ended in a 0-0 draw. Yuri Cortez / AFP / June 17, 2014

This was not in the script, even for a Brazil side that ranks among the more pragmatic of those privileged to have donned the famous yellow shirt.
But for the fact Brazil were playing in a home World Cup, with the attendant attention and commensurate noise, it could be called low key.
Certainly Brazil's performance was underwhelming and unimpressive. The ultimate winners, if a stalemate can be said to have any, were Mexico, who were the more accomplished side for long periods of the scoreless draw.
They required a play-off to qualify for the World Cup. Now they are well-positioned to reach the last-16 and, should they avoid defeat against Croatia on Monday, they ought to be in the knockout stages.
So should Brazil, but this was hardly the performance of potential champions.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's side were flat, delivering a dull display that suggests they rely too much on Neymar. The budding Pele was alone in offering the promise of a Brazilian goal, but he met his match in Guillermo Ochoa.
The Mexican goalkeeper won their personal battle. Indeed, he did so in a style that drew comparisons with another shot-stopper who prospered against Brazil.
Gordon Banks's 1970 save against Pele is often deemed the best in World Cup history, and if not quite as remarkable, there were similarities when Ochoa plunged to his right to keep out Neymar's header following a cross from his Barcelona teammate, Dani Alves.
Ochoa was defiant again when he blocked Neymar's hooked shot, and when the No 10 turned provider, he was similarly excellent.
Neymar's well-worked free kick was chested on by Thiago Silva, the centre-back showing a lovely cushioned touch, for Paulinho, but the alert Ochoa was quick to deny the midfielder.
His fourth fine save again involved the national icon and the Brazil captain. Thiago Silva met Neymar's free-kick with a thumping header. Ochoa made a marvellous reaction stop.
In between his quartet of stops, however, the concern for Brazil should be that they did not fashion enough opportunities. Marcelo is among the better attacking left-backs in the tournament and Bernard brought sparks of optimism during his cameo, but the Brazilian midfield struggled to create.
Brazil's worst performer of the World Cup is the man employed to score.
The burden on Neymar increases every time the striker struggles and, after an undistinguished display against Croatia, when his only notable contribution was to procure a penalty with a dive, Fred spent much of his match offside.
He directed a tame header at Ochoa, but he rarely threatened to break his duck for the tournament and was duly replaced by Jo; it was a change that should be doubly depressing for Brazil.
Brazil missed the injured Hulk and the raft of ageing, underachieving-but-talented flair players, such as Ronaldinho, Robinho and Kaka, who failed to make the squad. It was little wonder Mexico felt they could double up on Neymar.
As well as their three centre-backs played, the authoritative veteran Rafael Marquez in particular, they were not just concentrating on defence.
Mexico's ambition was reflected in their shoot-on-sight policy.
Hector Herrera tried his luck twice, bringing a flying save from Julio Cesar – if not the corner that should have been awarded – and seeing another effort go over without any touch from the goalkeeper.
Their threat from distance was apparent again when Jose Juan Vazquez twice took aim from long range. His first effort went narrowly wide. His second just cleared the bar. Andres Guardado, too, looked for a winner.
From unprepossessing circumstances, a side has taken shape during Miguel Herrera's brief reign.
Brazil, stolid and stodgy, need to raise their game. The emotion of hosting a World Cup was apparent when Neymar cried during the national anthems, but while there were highlights in his newly blond hair, there were precious few for Brazil in the match.
Ochoa's saves, however, will live long in the memory for Mexico.
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