Brazil Denies Mexico Their Elusive Fifth Game

Turns out El Tri's list of heavyweight knockouts in this World Cup will remain at one.

Which is one more than their successful pursuits of their quinto partido in tourneys they haven't hosted.

Getting pasted by Sweden wasn't the best way for Mexico to psych up for their Round of 16 clash with Brazil, especially since their goal-scoring well went dry.

Against the Seleção, it stayed dry.

 

And nothing on the scoreboad as Brazil rode a busy second half to a 2-0 victory.

The Mexicans played for counters, but their speed was more than matched by Brazil's quickness, which blunted the few threats El Tri posed. Even though the Seleção seemed to take their time getting in gear, they still were the more dangerous side.

 

However, as soon as the second half started, Brazil's style of football was front and center.

Dudes' first goal was finished by megastar Neymar, who received a superb cross on the floor from Willian and put it away in the 51st minute:

 

Soon thereafter, Neymar provided further proof that, while he may win a Ballon d'Or some day, he'll never be up for an Oscar:

 

Dude, really?

It didn't help his cred that he was bounding all over the field moments later. The act's getting old to the point that Mexico's manager Juan Carlos Osorio called out Neymar's very right to possess a pair:

 

Neymar embarrassed himself even more blatantly against Serbia, and the Twitterverse couldn't resist:

 

There was even a suggestion dude should take his talents to another sport:

 

If he'd just stick to skills that are more respected ...

 

Mexico tried harder to create good chances, but Brazil was defending perfectly. Even though they'd find space, they couldn't find goals.

But Brazil could as in the the 88th minute, when Neymar crossed into the box and Roberto Firmino sent it home. Guillermo Ochoa had no chance:

Brazil thus moves to the quarter-finals for the 18th time. Mexico can only take solace in the fact they'll co-host the World Cup in 2026.

Then their history of finding a quinto partido will be on their side.