Brazil extend winning run to nine with win over Mexico

Philippe Coutinho’s piece of magic in the first half was enough to set Brazil on their way to a comfortable 2-0 win against Mexico.

His 27th minute turn and finish close to the byline was too much quality for Mexico to handle before he played the pass which saw Diego Tardelli bag the second.

Mexico were playing a weakened team due to the fact they have a busy fixture list this summer and were looking to protect their players before the Copa America and Gold Cup they’d be competing in.

Brazil were dominant from start to finish and had the extra quality, despite the absence of Champions League winner Neymar, to put their opponents to the sword.

Dunga will be pleased his side managed to look threatening and solid without some of his key players who are still to return from club duty.

3’ – CHANCE! – Corner comes in and finds David Luiz free in the area. He attacks it well but it slides off his head and just flies wide. Should have done better.

28’ – GOAL! – The ball is rolled in to Coutinho in the box who turns without touching the ball. At the byline he drives towards goal and slots past Corona at his near post with a curled effort.

37’ – GOAL! – Willian again laying in Coutinho in the box but this time he squares to Tardelli who is on hand for an easy right-footed tap in to an empty net.

56’ – CHANCE! – Ayala swings it in from the right wing to find Jimenez. He gets up well to connect but Jefferson is able to gather with ease.

Can Mexico be more competitive than they were tonight in the Copa America? You’d hope so with players like Javier Hernandez and Giovani Dos Santos to return to the line-up. Clearly tonight, their B side wasn’t good enough but they’ve got enough talent waiting in the wings to see a much better performance come the main event in a few weeks time.

Willian – The Chelsea midfielder ran the show for Brazil today. His use of the ball in all areas of the pitch was a joy to see and his work rate was a real asset for his side in defence and going forward.

BRAZIL – Jefferson 7, Danilo 7, Miranda 7, David Luiz 8, Filipe Luis 7, Fernandinho 7, Elias 7, Fred 7, Coutinho 8, Willian 9, Tardelli 8.

MEXICO – Corona 7, Ayala 5, Marquez 6, Dominguez 5, Aldrete 7, Osuna 5, Guemez 5, Corona 5, Herrera 6, Jimenez 7.