FIFA World Cup 1st Knockout Round Preview

Brazil vs Mexico

Brazil at World Cup 2018

Brazil's history in the World Cup is legendary and they are perhaps the most widely supported team in any world cup and this one is no different.

The current Brazil team seems a little lightweight when compared to its predecessors, but possesses plenty of flair and guile and cannot be taken lightly. They are led by Neymar who is as skillful as he is lethal in front of goal. He posses a very deep bag of tricks that makes it very tough for whichever defender is in his way.

Neymar is well supported from the midfield by Phillipe Coutinho and tricky winger Willian. Brazil had a slow start to the tournament being held by Switzerland and had to wait till injury time to secure the winner again Costa Rica, before comfortably dispatching Serbia in the final group fixture.

It wouldn't be wrong to say that Brazil have slowly built up steam as the tournament has gone on, and are ready to take their performance up a notch in the Knockout rounds.

Standing in Brazil's way are Mexico, who some would have been the biggest surprise team of the tournament so far. They shocked everyone when they defeated the much fancied German team and followed it up by defeating South Korea. However they were brought back to earth following a bit of a drubbing at the hands of Sweden.

Mexico have no real global footballing stars, but work hard and players like Carlos Vela and Andres Guardado are tricky dribblers and tough for defenders to deal with.

Result - Mexico's limitations were exposed by Sweden during their 3-0 win, and Brazil should prove to be too much for Mexico to deal with. Brazil are not exactly the team that they have been in the past world cups, but they possess more and than enough talent to see off the challenge of Mexico.