Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Neymar Ends Mexico's Dream of World Cup 'Quinto Partido'
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 7 years ago on
July 2, 2018

Share

SAMARA, Russia — Neymar flaunted his flair and his theatrics with a goal and an assist Monday at the World Cup.
The world’s most expensive player led Brazil over Mexico 2-0 Monday and into the quarterfinals of the tournament for the seventh straight time.
Neymar broke through Mexico’s stern resistance by setting up the opener when his back-heel released Willian. Neymar then ran into the penalty area and slid to tap Willian’s cross into the net.
While his scoring is so often the focus, Neymar also creates goals for his teammates. A toe-poked attempt to beat Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in the 88th minute was diverted into the path of Robert Firmino, who scored the second. Neymar has 11 goals and nine assists in his last 19 games for Brazil.
But before setting up the second goal it looked like Neymar’s game — or even his World Cup — could be over with 20 minutes to go. It turned out to be pure histrionics. Writhing in agony after his right ankle was stepped on by Miguel Layun, Neymar managed to get back on his feet. But not before trying to step on Layun. Both escaped punishment.

Brazil Has Reached Every Quarterfinals Since 1994

The five-time World Cup champions will next face either Japan or Belgium in the quarterfinals, the stage they have reached at every World Cup since 1994.
Mexico has now lost at this stage at every tournament over the same period of time, extending its wait for the “quinto partido” — or fifth game — for at least another four years. The last time Mexico reached the quarterfinals was when the country hosted the tournament in 1986.
This year’s World Cup had started so promisingly for Mexico. The team opened with a win over Germany, setting the defending champions on the path to an early exit. They caused problems for Brazil, too, initially.

Neymar Is Too Much for Mexico

But they couldn’t find a way to stop Neymar, who has scored two goals in four matches in Russia.
“The key was to play together without the ball because with the ball we know the quality of the team,” Willian said. “We know we have players that can decide the game.”
Neymar’s dispute with Layun unfolded as the Mexico substitute tried to recover the ball. In a delayed reaction, Neymar made the most of Layun stepping on his ankle, rolling around with his hand covering his eyes.
The rapid recovery seemed miraculous for a player who missed the last three months of the season with a broken right foot.

Neymar’s Antics Upset Mexico’s Coach

“We wasted a lot of time because of one single player,” Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio said, without naming Neymar. “I think this is a real shame for football, especially for kids who are watching because this has to be a sport of virility, of determination, a man’s sport, like other games, and not a charade.”
During the win over Costa Rica in the group stage, Neymar tried to win a penalty by flopping to the ground in the area. A video review reversed the decision to award a penalty kick and Neymar’s frustrations a few minutes later led to a yellow card.
Brazil coach Tite also played a big role in the victory over Mexico, deciding to replace Philippe Coutinho with Firmino. Fresh among tiring legs, Firmino was able to evade the defense to get in the right place to score the second goal.
Neymar, though, still led the celebrations, charging toward the corner flag. Tite came to join him.
With Germany, Argentina and Spain among the contenders already eliminated, Brazil’s hopes of a sixth World Cup title have received an extra lift.
 

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Camalah Saleh Cruises to Win in Stormy Fresno State Student Elections

DON'T MISS

Trump Goes Golfing While Stock Market Chunks

DON'T MISS

Brandon Vang Wins Fresno City Council Special Election Outright

DON'T MISS

Trump Says He’s Giving TikTok Another 75 Days to Find a US Buyer

DON'T MISS

Tulare County Man Arrested After Firing at Deputies During Eviction Attempt

DON'T MISS

If ex-Bitwise CEOs Behave in Prison, How Much Less Time Will They Serve?

DON'T MISS

Trump Just Bet the Farm

DON'T MISS

Staged Crashes and Insurance Fraud: Is Your California Commute a Target?

DON'T MISS

Fight Over Phonics: Will CA Require the ‘Science of Reading’ in K-12 Schools?

DON'T MISS

Russia Says Trump’s Threats Against Iran Could Trigger ‘Global Catastrophe’

UP NEXT

USC’s JuJu Watkins Named AP Player of the Year After Historic Sophomore Season

UP NEXT

Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman Lands on Injured List Following Fall in His Shower at Home

UP NEXT

Curry Scores 37 Points and Warriors Beat Lakers in a Potential First-Round Playoff Preview

UP NEXT

Diehard Baseball Fans in Sacramento Welcome Athletics and Hope They Stay Awhile

UP NEXT

Carbon Monoxide Was Cause of Death of Brett Gardner’s Teen Son, Officials Confirm

UP NEXT

Bettors Back Duke Men and UConn Women for National Championships

UP NEXT

Flores Homers, Matos and Wade Also Go Deep to Help Giants Cap Sweep of Astros

UP NEXT

After Briefly Disappearing, TikTok Went Back to Normal. Or Did It?

UP NEXT

Ohtani’s Walk-off Homer Boosts Dodgers to 8-0 With Another Comeback Win

UP NEXT

Here’s How the New NFL Rules on Kickoffs and Overtime Will Work

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Trump Says He’s Giving TikTok Another 75 Days to Find a US Buyer

1 hour ago

Tulare County Man Arrested After Firing at Deputies During Eviction Attempt

2 hours ago

If ex-Bitwise CEOs Behave in Prison, How Much Less Time Will They Serve?

2 hours ago

Trump Just Bet the Farm

3 hours ago

Staged Crashes and Insurance Fraud: Is Your California Commute a Target?

3 hours ago

Fight Over Phonics: Will CA Require the ‘Science of Reading’ in K-12 Schools?

3 hours ago

Russia Says Trump’s Threats Against Iran Could Trigger ‘Global Catastrophe’

3 hours ago

Get Off the Phone! Fresno Police Target Distracted Driving

3 hours ago

Federal Reserve Chief Says Trump Tariffs Likely to Raise Inflation and Slow US Economic Growth

3 hours ago

The NBA’s Playoff Chase Enters Its Final Days. Here’s a Look at What’s Happening

4 hours ago

Camalah Saleh Cruises to Win in Stormy Fresno State Student Elections

The controversial Fresno State student elections concluded Thursday with Camalah Saleh winning the president’s post by a wide margin. ...

14 minutes ago

14 minutes ago

Camalah Saleh Cruises to Win in Stormy Fresno State Student Elections

President Donald Trump waves as he arrives at the Trump International Golf Club, Friday, April 4, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP/Alex Brandon)
17 minutes ago

Trump Goes Golfing While Stock Market Chunks

34 minutes ago

Brandon Vang Wins Fresno City Council Special Election Outright

1 hour ago

Trump Says He’s Giving TikTok Another 75 Days to Find a US Buyer

Kenneth Bratton, 43, was arrested after allegedly firing at Tulare County Sheriff’s deputies during an eviction attempt in Porterville. (Tulare County SO)
2 hours ago

Tulare County Man Arrested After Firing at Deputies During Eviction Attempt

2 hours ago

If ex-Bitwise CEOs Behave in Prison, How Much Less Time Will They Serve?

3 hours ago

Trump Just Bet the Farm

3 hours ago

Staged Crashes and Insurance Fraud: Is Your California Commute a Target?

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend