3 Reasons Why Brazil Went Through To The Last 8

#1 The Golden Boy is beginning to sparkle

On top of the World

Neymar Jr. has well and truly arrived in Russia and it was Mexico who had to pay the price for it. The PSG man is one of the most fascinating characters on the planet. His talents, even more mesmerizing.

But often, it is the glitz and glamour surrounding the personality that gains prominence over his undisputed abilities on the ball. He lit up his home country four years ago, but a heart-wrenching injury in the quarter-finals ruled him out of the game against Germany. He will have his chance again.

A determined run at the heart of the defence followed by an audacious back heel to Willian, before storming into the 18-yard box to slide home the cross and the blistering pace to get one-on-one with the goalkeeper which ended up at Firmino's feet for an easy tap-in - the Golden Boy of Brazil delivered when it mattered the most.

He may not have been as expressive as the last World Cup this time around but his performance against Mexico, for all of Willian's brilliance, was the difference in the end. In Russia, he has been whacked down time and again, making him the most fouled player in the history of the competition since Maradonna back in 1986. Argentina had gone on to lift the trophy on that occasion. Repeat on the cards?