Round of 16: Brazil v Mexico, 2nd July, 3pm(GMT)

[Libertadores FC]

Mexico have 1 win vs South America in the last 9 competitive encounters.

Honestly, why do they insist in the "debate" that they are better than us? Its hardly an argument at this point.

 

[Bobbin']

Mexico have 1 win vs South America in the last 9 competitive encounters.

Honestly, why do they insist in the "debate" that they are better than us? Its hardly an argument at this point.

They consistently reach the the last 16 of world cups.

 

[Libertadores FC]

They consistently reach the the last 16 of world cups.

3 of the last 4 round of 16's: out to South America.

In the last 3 Copa America's, they've only beaten Uruguay, while losing to Peru, Chile, Uruguay (2011), Ecuador and drawing against Bolivia, Chile (2015) and Venezuela.

 

[SALTIRE]

Neymar is such a greedy fucker. And why in gods name does he continually take Brazil's free kicks when Coutinho is quite clearly far better and more dangerous at them.

Except Coutinho isn't better at freekicks than Neymar.

Well thats my Mexican brothers fallen, but at least they fell to Saint Bobby Firmino, so that softens the blow. Oh well, VAMOS COLOMBIA!

 

[Pagnell]

Except Coutinho isn't better at freekicks than Neymar.

He is. Neymar is surprisingly poor at them given his hype.

 

[SALTIRE]

He is. Neymar is surprisingly poor at them given his hype.

Almost every time he took one when he was at Barca (which wasn't often given Messi being there), his freekicks would be incredibly dangerous. He's certainly not shabby at them at all.

 

[Gassy]

I think Mexico got a little too big for their boots after Germany it seems (think there was even a video on BBC Sport saying 'Germany is only the beginning, the whole world will see')

Shame, it was really rooting for them

 

[Pagnell]

Almost every time he took one when he was at Barca (which wasn't often given Messi being there), his freekicks would be incredibly dangerous. He's certainly not shabby at them at all.

Perhaps he's taken an oath to offer no set piece threat to opposition goals in this tournament in that case.

I think a more likely explanation for him taking every free kick is that the team and management is set up to pander to his every whim and desire, and he has simply decided every set piece is his to take, regardless of there being better options.

 

[Renegade]

Perhaps he's taken an oath to offer no set piece threat to opposition goals in this tournament in that case.

I think a more likely explanation for him taking every free kick is that the team and management is set up to pander to his every whim and desire, and he has simply decided every set piece is his to take, regardless of there being better options.

Neymar is very good at freekicks, but you're right, I think that Coutinho is slightly better. I imagine it's just star power and feeling like you have extra responsibility, people still view him as the captain and leader of this team, for better or worse. Messi and Ronaldo have been guilty of it at International level too, despite the latter being the modern Roberto Carlos when it comes to driving the ball into the wall or miles over the bar. It's probably very common with star players. Neymar is better than either of them at freekicks too.

 

[SALTIRE]

Neymar is very good at freekicks, but you're right, I think that Coutinho is slightly better. I imagine it's just star power and feeling like you have extra responsibility, people still view him as the captain and leader of this team, for better or worse. Messi and Ronaldo have been guilty of it at International level too, despite the latter being the modern Roberto Carlos when it comes to driving the ball into the wall or miles over the bar. It's probably very common with star players. Neymar is better than either of them at freekicks too.

I wouldn't say he's better than Messi tbh. Didn't the wee fella score about a dozen of them last season in La Liga?