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Brazil national football team
World Cup | Group Stage
Jun 17, 2014 at 8pm UK
 
Mexico national football team

0-0

FT

Player Ratings: Brazil 0-0 Mexico

Sports Mole looks at which players impressed during Brazil's 0-0 draw with Mexico in Tuesday's World Cup Group A clash.

Brazil and Mexico have both collected four points from two Group A matches following a goalless draw in their World Cup clash this evening.

Both sides had chances in an end-to-end and open affair, but neither could make the breakthrough in Fortaleza.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during the 90 minutes of action.


Brazil players pose for a team photo before the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Brazil and Mexico at Castelao on June 17, 2014© Getty Images

BRAZIL

Goal

Julio Cesar: Made a couple of smart saves in the first period and was confident from crosses, but was a spectator for much of the contest. (6/10)

Defence

Dani Alves: Struggled to influence proceedings in forward positions, while the right-back was also guilty of some sloppy passing. That said, he was hardly troubled in defensive areas. (6/10)

Thiago Silva: Once more the pick of the Brazilian defenders despite a rash challenge on Javier Hernandez late on. Calm in possession and strong in the tackle. (7/10)

David Luiz: Caught out of position at times in the second period, but was prepared to bring the ball out of defence when possible. A largely uneventful match for the £50m defender. (6/10)

Marcelo: Tried to win a late penalty from Raul Jimenez, but went down far too easily in the area. Crossing was also poor when he did manage to venture forward. (5/10)

Midfield

Ramires: Withdrawn at the interval after a poor first half. Frustration boiled over in the latter stages of the first period when he gained a booking for fouling Francisco Rodriguez. (4/10)

Luiz Gustavo: Arguably Brazil's best player on the night. Won everything in the middle of the park and was cute in possession of the ball. Strong midfield display. (7/10)

Paulinho: Another largely ineffective display from the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, who continues to surprisingly feature ahead of Manchester City's Fernandinho. (5/10)

Attack

Oscar: Starred in the first match, but struggled to make a similar impact this evening. Too often caught in possession and failed to provide adequate support to Neymar and Fred. (5/10)

Fred: Really poor evening for the experienced forward, who hardly touched the ball before being replaced by Jo 20 minutes from time. Will be lucky to start the Cameroon match. (3/10)

Neymar: The hero against Croatia, but the 22-year-old found Mexico a tougher nut to crack. Worked hard, but was guilty of running down a few blind alleys, especially in the second period. (6/10)

Substitutes

Bernard: Replaced Ramires at the interval and did provide a threat in wide positions. Might have earned himself a spot in the team for the Cameroon match. (6/10)

Jo: Another that impressed from the bench. Provided a threat in behind and flashed a late effort just wide of the post. Was certainly more effective than Fred. (6/10)

Willian: Replaced Oscar after 84 minutes, but had little time to make a telling impact. (5/10)


Mexico players pose before a Group A football match between Brazil and Mexico in the Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014© Getty Images

MEXICO

Goal

Guillermo Ochoa: Stunning performance from the 28-year-old, who twice denied Neymar from close range before saving a point-blank Thiago Silva header. Brilliant display from the stopper. (9/10)

Defence

Paul Aguilar: Booked in the second period, but certainly contributed to his side's effective display with a energetic performance. (6/10)

Hector Moreno: Expected to leave Espanyol this summer and would have attracted a host of attention following a strong and composed performance in the heart of the defence. (8/10)

Rafael Marquez: Might be 35, but showed there is no substitute for experience. Hardly gave Neymar a kick during a brilliant showing alongside Moreno. (8/10)

Francisco Rodriguez: Another Mexican defender who had an impressive night, with Rodriguez's calmness on the ball rubbing off on a host of his teammates. (7/10)

Miguel Layun: Like Aguilar, the 25-year-old was full of running and did not forget his defensive duties down the other end. (7/10)

Midfield

Andres Guardado: Strong performance from the 27-year-old, who occupied both of Brazil's central midfielders. Also came close to scoring with a couple of speculative efforts from distance. (7/10)

Hector Herrera: Was also full of energy in the middle of the park and brought a brilliant save from Cesar in the first period. (7/10)

Jose Vasquez: Had the chance to send Mexico into a first-half lead after finding space outside the box, but saw his effort whistle wide. Overall, had a solid night in midfield. (6/10)

Attack

Giovani dos Santos: Fairly disappointing night for the Villarreal attacker, with clear service limited, especially in the first period. (5/10)

Oribe Peralta: Was the hero last time out against Cameroon, but struggled to have a similar impact this evening. Replaced by Hernandez, who looked more dangerous. (5/10)

Substitutes

Javier Hernandez: Recently lost his place in the starting XI, but impressed during a cameo performance. Caused concern inside the Brazil box and saw a header just move high of Cesar's crossbar. (7/10)

Marco Fabian: Replaced Herrera after 76 minutes and certainly added energy in the latter stages. Seen as the perfect impact player for his side this summer. (6/10)

Raul Jimenez: Tangled with Marcelo inside his own box late on, but the referee waved play on. (6/10)


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Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ocha dives at full stretch to make a save during the World Cup Group A match in Fortaleza against Brazil on June 17, 2014
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

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Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

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Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

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Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

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Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

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Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

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Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023


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