Mexico Vs. Brazil, 2011 International Friendly: 10-Man Brazil Defeat Mexico 2-1

Brazil were then forced to endure several waves of Mexican attacks, finding themselves fouled whenever they tried to get forward, and it seemed like only a matter of time before the hosts doubled their lead. Instead, one of those fouls finally cost them, with the excellent Ronaldinho stepping up to smack the set piece into Oswaldo Sanchez’s top corner, the veteran goalkeeper standing no chance.

There was time for action as well, with the game coming full circle for David Luiz to bail out his team when a dangerous-looking cross came fizzing in from the right. Brazil cleared the resulting corner, the whistle blew, and the game was over. 2-1 to Brazil, and I think both teams can probably be proud of the way they played. What a fun match of football that was.

Anyway, that’s 2-1 Brazil and this could be a major turning point in the fortunes of this young team. They’ve been suffering all match and have suddenly turned on the class everyone knew they had - it’s a real pleasure to see good play rather than whining. Anyway, Mexico might be behind but they still have the numerical advantage and would quite like to get something from this match, so the last few minutes of this one are going to be pretty interesting.

A few minutes later, Neymar’s leg is once again caught at full speed. Once again he’s accused of diving by an announcer whom I would happily skin and turn into a book. And, finally, Ronaldinho makes Mexico pay, scorching the resultant free kick over the wall past an unsighted Oswaldo Sanchez and into the top corner. That’s an absolutely brilliant goal - it’s a pleasure to still have the old chipmunk around. So we’re back to level pegging at 1-1, although El Tri will fancy their chances to get a goal in the final ten minutes, what with the man advantage and all.

So much for this being a friendly, eh? Marcelo is possibly fouled near the edge of the penalty area, but it’s not given and Brazil are absolutely furious at the referee, surrounding him and generally making themselves look like complete turds. This game doesn’t matter, boys. Chill the flip out. Astonishingly, nobody gets a yellow card - Marcelo, Neymar and Hulk probably all deserved a booking for that little display of bad manners.

That rather puts a sour note into the game which had actually just gotten pretty interesting, with Ronaldinho (depressingly, he’s probably been Brazil’s best attacking player despite being four hundred years old) forcing Oswaldo Sanchez into a flying save from a quickly taken free kick and the visitors generally being far more adventuresome. However, Mexico are sending in fouls left and right to break up attacks, which is probably why Brazil are so frustrated when they aren’t called. Not that that excuses their rather deplorable behaviour, however. Perhaps they should focus on not shooting straight at Sanchez when they do have the ball? Still 1-0 Mexico, and that lead is still well deserved.

So Neymar’s still getting fouled, and even Chicharito is getting in on the action, cutting the teenager’s legs out from under him and receiving a yellow card for his troubles. It’s a minor miracle that the announcers haven’t accused him of diving again - perhaps they’ve been warned that one more incident of blatant stupidity and/or bias will get them fired? Sadly not, because they’re still talking.

Listen. I get it. I get that Neymar dives and has stupid hair and is generally less than likeable. But can we quit getting on people for diving/being annoying etc when they’ve done nothing wrong? If I was running at full speed and someone kicked my legs out from under me I’d fall down too*. Because it was a foul.

*And so would you! Kinematics!

Chicharito hasn’t been involved in the game at all, but he chased a long ball into the area (which he wasn’t going to get to) and Dani Alves body checked him out of the way for no discernable reason - a stupid challenge and a nailed on penalty. It was yellow card worthy too, and that’s apparently the Barcelona man’s second booking, so he’s off. Andres Guardado’s penalty is very well saved by Jefferson, so it’s still 1-0 as we get to the verge of halftime. Wow.

So, it’s 1-0 to the hosts and Brazil are still under heavy pressure. For Mexico, the best form of defence is attack - the likes of Neymar and Hulk aren’t going to hurt you much if the ball is in the Brazilian half. If that’s the game plan, it’s a good one, and it’s working absolutely perfectly so far. Brazil are going to need to slow things down and consolidate play, or they’re going to suffer all match.

In all seriousness, it’s wonderful to see football used as a force for what’s essentially good. The sport is often met with cynicism these days (and international friendlies doubly so), but it’s important to remember that it can still make a difference in people’s lives as well.