FIFA World Cup 2014: Brazil Ochoaked

Fortaleza: Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa produced an inspired performance as Mexico held World Cup hosts Brazil to a frustrating 0-0 draw in Group ‘A’ in Fortaleza on Tuesday. 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 themselves, 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, ensured 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 60,342-capacity stadium made for a frantic start to the game.Mexico 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.

 

The home side created their first opening from the right, 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 freekick 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.Diminutive Shakhtar Donetsk winger Bernard replaced Oscar 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.