Brazil have earned a place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over Mexico in Monday's clash in Samara.
After a goalless first half, Neymar put the five-time winners into the lead from close range after getting on the end of a Willian cross.
Mexico battled hard but Brazil deservedly doubled their lead in the closing stages when substitute Roberto Firmino tapped home from three yards.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in Russia courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the World Cup last-16 clash between Brazil and Mexico. We have already witnessed a number of the favourites bow out of this competition but can Brazil avoid the same fate today?
Before we move on with the facts and figures ahead of this encounter, let's take a look at the team news, starting with the five-time winners...
BRAZIL XI: Alisson; Fagner, Silva, Miranda, Luis; Paulinho, Casemiro, Coutinho; Willian, Jesus, Neymar
MEXICO XI: Ochoa; Alvarez, Salcedo, Ayala, Gallardo; Marquez, Herrera; Lozano, Vela, Guardado; Hernandez
Let's start with Brazil as Tite makes just the one change from the team which started the fixture with Serbia. Marcelo needed to be withdrawn during the early stages of that game and although the left-back is fit enough for the bench, Filipe Luis comes into the first XI.
Danilo is fit again after missing the last two group fixtures through injury but Fagner keeps his place at right-back. Thiago Silva and Miranda retain their place in the centre of the defence.
In midfield, Paulinho continues to keep out Fernandinho while Philippe Coutinho will play in the most advanced role of the three. The Barcelona playmaker has already scored twice in this tournament.
Willian and Neymar line up either side of Gabriel Jesus in attack. It means that Roberto Firmino must continue to remain patient on the substitutes' bench. The Liverpool forward has featured for just 33 minutes during this tournament.
As for Mexico, Juan Carlos Osorio makes just the two changes to the team which succumbed so tamely against Sweden. Hector Moreno misses out through suspension while Miguel Layun also misses out on a place in the starting lineup.
Hector Ayala gets the nod as far as the centre of defence is concerned, while Rafael Marquez - playing in his fifth World Cup - will begin the match in midfield, presumably in close proximity to Coutinho.
Andres Guardado will begin the game on the left. The 31-year-old has been used as a central midfielder but the skipper will show his versatility in Samara.
Javier Hernandez is given the nod in attack. The West Ham United frontman wasn't too effective against Sweden but his experience and previous outings against Germany and South Korea see him remain in the side ahead of Raul Jimenez.
This is the first of two matches which are taking place today. The winners of this contest will meet the victors of the tie between Belgium and Japan, which starts at 7pm, BST.
Brazil qualified for this stage of the competition with seven points from three games but they are yet to look convincing. The spoils were shared with Switzerland, they needed two late goals to beat Costa Rica and the win over Serbia only came after they had weathered a storm at the start of the second half. There is certainly room for improvement.
Brazil head into this fixture looking to preserve their record against sides from North and Central America. They are yet to suffer a defeat at a World Cup to a nation from either of those regions.
It has also been 28 years since a non-European team defeated Brazil at a World Cup. Argentina emerged victorious in the last 16 in 1990
Brazil are looking to extend their streak of reaching at least the quarter-finals. Selecao have progressed through to the last eight on each of the last six occasions.
Much of the attention is being placed on Brazil's attacking players but clean sheets have come in seven of their last eight matches.
Brazil have also only suffered one defeat in their last 24 matches. That came in a friendly against Argentina last June.
Mexico endured a mixed-group stage campaign. The 1-0 success over Germany is one of their most notable triumphs in years and it was backed up with success over South Korea, but losing heavily to Sweden has the potential to derail their campaign.
They also tend to struggle against South American opposition on the world stage. Their only previous success came against Ecuador at the 2002 edition.
El Tri are also keen to end a run of six last-16 exits in a row. While it's impressive that they have consistently progressed through the group stages, a knockout win is long overdue.
Today's encounter represents Mexico's 57th match in this competition. No team has played more times without lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy.
PREDICTION! Brazil have showed signs that they are slowly clicking into gear, while Mexico were soundly beaten in their last outing. On that basis, we have to back a comfortable victory for Brazil, who we think will prevail by a 3-0 scoreline.
HEAD TO HEAD! These two nations are meeting for the 41st time, with Brazil having recorded 23 wins in comparison to 10 triumphs for Mexico.
However, the majority of Mexico's success came between 1999 and 2007, with Brazil emerging victorious in four of the last six showdowns.
It has been over three years since the two sides last met, with Brazil registering a 2-0 win in Sao Paulo in June 2015. You can read back on that match by clicking here.
The two teams are facing each other at a World Cup for the second time in succession. Back in 2014, they played out a goalless draw in Fortaleza.
It's time for the two teams to make their way out in Samara. It's a toasty 35C in Southern Russia!
A reminder of the two starting lineups...
BRAZIL XI: Alisson; Fagner, Silva, Miranda, Luis; Paulinho, Casemiro, Coutinho; Willian, Jesus, Neymar
MEXICO XI: Ochoa; Alvarez, Salcedo, Ayala, Gallardo; Marquez, Herrera; Lozano, Vela, Guardado; Hernandez
KICKOFF! Mexico get us underway!
Mexico have started very strongly. A cross into the box from Guardado is palmed into the path of Lozano, who has a volley blocked by Miranda.
Nothing comes from the corner and Brazil immediately launch an counter attack and win a free kick in the opposite half of the pitch. This is warming up very nicely!
SHOT! Neymar receives the ball in time and space around 30 yards from goal. He takes a touch forward and gets a shot away, but his effort is straight at Ochoa, who palms the ball away.
Since that initial flurry forward, Mexico have been pushed back into their own half. Brazil are pressing and it is proving to be effective.
As I say that, Mexico put together a move down the left with Vela drifting past Fagner before winning a corner. Mexico win the initial header and the ball almost goes to Hernandez, but the forward is standing in an offside position.
It is still early days but Mexico are matching Brazil in every department. Brazil look troubled when the likes of Lozano and Vela get on the ball. Hernandez is also occupying the two centre-backs.
Mexico win another corner - this time from the right - but the inswinging delivery towards the near post is dealt with by Miranda.
Lozano looks like he has got the beating of Luis. The winger drifts inside and sends in a teasing cross for Hernandez at the back post but the delivery has too much pace on it.
Salcedo is perhaps fortunate to get away with a risky challenge on Jesus but the defender quickly has to concede a corner. Willian's cross is dealt with at the near post.
Mexico break quickly and get Lozano back on the ball on the right flank. The winger's cross is blocked by Luis but the PSV Eindhoven man still looks to have the beating of the replacement for Marcelo.
Brazil certainly know that they are in a game. Mexico are playing at such a high intensity and for now at least, Brazil are not matching them. Of course, it could work against Mexico later in this match.
Such is the tempo of the game that Brazil are slowing the pace down whenever they can. Mexico keep coming, however. They do not want to give the five-time winners a moments' peace.
CHANCE! For the first time in a while, Brazil have some joy in the final third with Neymar getting to the byline after turning past Alvarez. However, the forward is denied by the advancing Ochoa, who makes himself big.
SHOT! Brazil are now on top. Mexico struggle to deal with a free kick sent into the box and Jesus gets a shot away, which is cleared by a defender. The ball eventually finds Coutinho but he fires well over the crossbar.
How the momentum has swung. Mexico now want to take a breather with some time on the ball in their own half. Brazil are showing that they are warming into this contest.
We are having a bit of a lull in the action. That was probably inevitable given the intensity of the opening quarter. We remain on level terms but Brazil are starting to edge this.
CHANCE! There are signs that Mexico are already tiring. Brazil are sensing that their moment to open the scoring is not too far away. Jesus danced past two before being denied by Ochoa before Mexico scrambled the ball away after a further block.
We still have 10 minutes to go until half time but Mexico are already defending deep, not quite on the edge of their own 18-yard box though. We have not seen much of Marquez.
While Mexico are starting to lag ever so slightly, their supporters remain enthusiastic in the crowd. El Tri need all of the assistance that they can get.
BOOKING! Alvarez goes into the book for a late challenge on Neymar. He can have no complaints.
SHOT! This is ambitious but worth a go all the same. Neymar tries his luck from more than 30 yards and just misses the far top corner.
Mexico look like they could do with the break. Hernandez is becoming increasingly isolated. Mexico are leaving three attacking players up when Brazil have a corner but it is yet to work to their advantage.
BOOKING! Luis is booked for Brazil after mistiming a challenge with Lozano. Slightly harsh but the left-back knew what he was doing.
Lozano just showed a bit of life in the Mexico attack but he tried to do too much and Brazil eventually won the ball back.
HALF TIME: Brazil 0-0 Mexico
The referee opts against any additional time and we go into the break still on level terms. Mexico had the better of the opening exchanges but they are starting to focus their efforts in defensive areas with Brazil having started to up the pace.
Mexico could say that they had the better of the opening quarter but they failed to test Alisson, with the defence putting in a number of timely blocks to keep Brazil on level terms.
Brazil's best efforts have come through Neymar and Jesus but although Ochoa has made several interventions, the goalkeeper has not really been stretched between the sticks. His defence is working hard to help him keep a clean sheet but the pressure was building before the break.
This isn't a massive surprise. Mexico make a change with Layun coming on for Marquez.
KICKOFF! Brazil get us back underway.
It looks like Alvarez is now being used in central midfield, with Layun slotting in at right-back. Alvarez is on a yellow so that could be a risky move.
CHANCE! This is far too easy from Coutinho who glides into the penalty area before getting into a shooting position, but Ochoa makes a solid save to his right to keep out the playmaker's 14-yard effort.
SHOT! Mexico left-back Gallardo receives the ball on the halfway line and has options to his right and left. However, he instead decides to run towards goal and fire just over the crossbar from distance. Bit greedy, that.
GOAL! Brazil 1-0 Mexico (Neymar)
Brazil get the goal that was almost becoming inevitable. Neymar starts and finishes the move, with a pass being played out to Willian and after the Chelsea man fired a low ball across the six-yard box, Neymar was there at the back post to score from close range.
Since going behind, Mexico have launched players forward. It looks like they are going to go for this before they get too tired. Important stage of the match coming up.
BOOKING! The second Mexico player to go into the book is Herrera, who tugs back Willian after a strong run in the middle of the park.
SUBSTITUTION! Mexico's second switch sees Alvarez replaced by Dos Santos.
It feels like Brazil are playing within themselves. They are pacing their way through this match and only attacking in numbers when they sense that Mexico are out of position. It is proving to be very effective.
CHANCE! That could have been the game. Fagner accelerates down the right and pulls the ball back for Paulinho, who sees a shot well saved by Ochoa from 12 yards.
BOOKING! This is a blow for Brazil. Casemiro has been yellow carded for a foul and will miss the quarter-final, should his team get that far.
SUBSTITUTION! Mexico move to make their third and final substitution with new Wolverhampton Wanderers signing Raul Jimenez replacing Hernandez.
SHOT! Mexico find themselves in a three-on-three situation, which was started by Jimenez. The ball eventually finds Lozano, who sees a curling effort tipped over the crossbar by Alisson.
SHOT! Once again, Ochoa keeps Mexico in this match. Willian tries his luck from around 18 yards and his fizzing effort needs to be tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper.
It's not going to be long before we start seeing some changes for Brazil. Tite will expect Mexico to tire soon without having any more substitutions up their sleeve.
CHANCE! Another chance goes begging for Brazil. Neymar gets the opportunity to try to find the bottom corner from a central position but sends a weak effort wide of the post.
While it remains just 1-0, Mexico are still in this game. Herrera's cross from the right is only cleared into the path of Guardado but Silva gets himself in the way of his strike.
Layun has taken a risk here. When looking to retrieve the ball, he stood on the ankle of Neymar, although Neymar is feigning injury here, surely. VAR is taking a look.
No further action. It's probably the right decision, just for the embarrassing way in which Neymar reacted.
That incident has taken some of the sting out of the game, which probably suits Brazil. They remain in the ascendancy, however, and are heading for an eighth clean sheet in nine attempts.
BOOKING! Salcedo goes into the book for tripping Neymar. That decision and punishment was fair enough.
If Mexico are going to get back into this game, you would expect Lozano to be involved. A long raking ball finds the winger but he tries to do too much with it rather than crossing for Jimenez.
SUBSTITUTION! Finally, a first change for Brazil as Fernandinho comes on for Paulinho.
As it stands, Brazil are doing a professional job in seeing this match out. They are winning cheap fouls in their own half and it is preventing Mexico from building any head of steam.
We are awaiting the arrival of Firmino, who will likely replace Jesus. Mexico are persevering but Brazil are well set at the back now, especially with Fernandinho joining Casemiro just in front of the backline.
SUBSTITUTION! Nope, it's Coutinho who is being withdrawn for his former Liverpool teammate.
GOAL! Brazil 2-0 Mexico (Roberto Firmino)
Game over. Neymar is played in down the left and although his toe-poke is weak and saved by Ochoa, the ball is deflected into the path of Firmino who cannot miss from three yards.
There will be six minutes of added-on time.
SUBSTITUTION! Brazil's final change sees Marquinhos come on in place of Willian.
BOOKING! Guardado goes into the book for dissent. Mexico's frustration is boiling over.
Mexico are still pushing but there is going to be no way through this packed Brazil defence.
FULL TIME: Brazil 2-0 Mexico
The full-time whistle goes in Samara and Brazil have coasted through to the final whistle to register a 2-0 win over a game Mexico side. Neymar and Firmino got the goals in the second half but from front to back, Brazil were thoroughly professional. They will take some stopping.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us today and we hope to see you again for the tie involving Belgium and Japan, with the victors facing Brazil on Friday night.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
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