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Mexico Goalkeeping Heroics Frustrate Brazil

Guillermo Ochoa was the star as hosts Brazil could not break down Mexico in an atypically-entertaining 0-0 Group A draw.

The Mexican keeper brought back memories of Gordon Banks’ dramatic save from Pele midway through the first half, scrambling across his goal to claw away Neymar’s header from Dani Alves’ cross.

The Ochoa save was the highlight of a disappointingly scrappy opening half as both teams found it hard to settle into any kind of rhythm.

Yet it was far from the bore draw of Monday night between Iran and Nigeria, as both teams went on the attack in the second half.

Neymar was again left cursing his luck in as Ochoa reacted to keep out his left footed effort before the keeper was in the right place at the right time to deny Thiago Silva from the striker’s cross.

An increasingly frustrated Brazil turned to dubious tactics in a result to win it, Marcelo taking a tumble in the box under little pressure from Raul Jimenez. But unlike in Brazil’s opener against Croatia, the referee was thankfully unmoved.

Having soaked up wave after wave of Brazilian pressure, Mexico came close to winning it themselves late on. Andres Guardardo flashed a shot over the bar with a minute remaining before Cesar kept out Jimenez’s late effort from going into the corner.