France outlast Nigeria 2-0

Antoine Griezmann and Mathieu Valbuena hugged after France was assured of victory

Nine MSN

A Paul Pogba header and a Joseph Yobo own goal saw France edge a hard-fought contest with Nigeria 2-0 in Brasilia to reach the World Cup quarter-finals. Pogba broke the deadlock in the 79th minute, nodding into an empty net after Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who plays for French club Lille, failed to collect a corner.

It was a cruel moment for Enyeama, but rewarded a barrage of French pressure sparked by the introduction of Antoine Griezmann, who forced Yobo to put through his own goal in injury time. France will now play Germany at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on July 4, after Germany beat Algeria 2-1 in their last-16 match.

"Deliverance came late, but all the matches at this World Cup are difficult," said France coach Didier Deschamps. "We're among the best eight teams in the world who remain. We won't go on about it, but we should savour it and in four days, we'll go again."

African champions Nigeria, meanwhile, must wait to sample the last eight at a World Cup, following defeat in their first knockout-phase match at the tournament since the 1998 competition in France. The Nigerians nonetheless departed to the sound of warm applause from the fans crammed into the cavernous Mane Garrincha National Stadium, who allied themselves with Nigeria's cause from the off.

"We had a very good game, we're just unlucky to have lost," said Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi. "The scoreline does not reflect the game."

On the support his side received, he said: "Every stadium we've played in so far, the Brazilians have been wonderful. It's like there are two teams from Brazil at this World Cup."

While France, who showed six changes, started purposefully, their final ball frequently let them down, which handed Nigeria opportunities to use their pace on the counter-attack.

Netherlands came from behind to show Mexico the door

Jan Klaas Huntelaar celebrates after his penalty goal

DW

The Dutch have mounted a shock comeback against Mexico to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. What looked like a sure El Tri win was turned around in the final minutes by a vicious volley and a controversial penalty. 

Late goals from Wesley Sneijder and Klaas Jan Huntelaar finished off Mexico 2-1 in Fortaleza on Sunday. After taking a 1-0 lead early in the second half, Guillermo Ochoa's excellent goalkeeping looked like it would lead El Tri to victory. But the tired Mexicans had their hearts broken in the final moments, crashing out in the Round of 16 for the sixth straight World Cup.

After three wins in the group stage, Sunday's match was the first time Louis Van Gaal's side was tested in the brutal Brazilian heat and humidity. It was an ominous beginning for the Oranje against Mexico, with lynchpin midfielder Nigel de Jong going off after just nine minutes with an injury.

The first hour of the game was dominated by Mexico, who looked much more decisive in the final third. Giovanni Dos Santos, Oribe Peralta and Hector Herrara were a dangerous combination, while Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben looked isolated in the Dutch front line.

Dos Santos gave Mexico a deserved lead three minutes into the second half with a brilliant effort from the top of the box. Firing back across goal on the run, it was the best effort of the tournament from Mexico's number 10.

As the match wore on, however, it was the side from the Americas, not Europe, that appeared to tire. Ochoa put in yet another world class performance in goal for the Mexicans, but it was only a matter of time before the Dutch pulled one back.

Brazil eliminated Chile on penalties 4-2

CNN.com

CNN) -- And so the carnival carries on.

Brazil, the team which manages to thrill and frustrate almost simultaneously, clinched its place in the quarterfinal of the World Cup following a tension-fueled encounter with Chile.

A 3-2 victory on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Belo Horizonte means Luiz Felipe Scolari's side's quest to win the World Cup on home soil remains alive.

It will now turn its attention to a last eight contest with Colombia -- a team which has thrilled so far in this tournament.

While Brazil will take the plaudits, Chile should be commended for a performance which at times defied the ability of the human body to run and hustle as its players did.

Having already scored an own-goal to gift Brazil a 19th minute lead, Gonzalo Jara was to be the fall guy at the death.

With Brazil leading the shootout 3-2, Jara needed to score to keep his country in the tournament.

As he stood, eyes firmly on the goal, two nations held their breath -- but only one broke out into ecstasy as the ball smashed against the post and rolled away to safety.

As those in red flopped to the ground, their bodies bruised and beaten, tears running down their faces, their opponents danced their way around the field, perhaps more out of relief than happiness.

Brazil, still haunted by its failure 64 years ago when it was beaten by Uruguay in the 1950 final, cannot afford anything but triumph.

Rafael Marquez goal ushered a goal surge for Mexico against Croatia 3-1

Andres Guardado scored the second goal for Mexico

Yahoo Sports

By BRETT MARTEL (AP Sports Writer)

RECIFE, Brazil (AP) -- One of the first things Miguel Herrera did when he became Mexico's fourth coach in a year was call Rafael Marquez and ask the 35-year-old defender known as ''the boss'' to return to the national side as captain.

On Monday, the world saw why.

Marquez's pivotal goal from a header in the 72nd minute ignited a scoring burst, and Mexico surged into the World Cup's knockout stage for a sixth straight time with a 3-1 triumph over Croatia.

''I did not hesitate one minute after my talk with him to appoint him captain,'' Herrera said of Marquez, now in his fourth World Cup. ''He's had many achievements in his career, personally, but he's also provided leadership to the team, that soundness, and that is why they call him the boss.''

Marquez, Andres Guardado and Javier ''Chicharito'' Hernandez scored in a 10-minute span in the second half, dooming a talented Croatia side to elimination from the group stage.

The Croats had to win to advance and held the bulk of possession, but had trouble seriously threatening goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who kept out all efforts until an 87th-minute consolation goal from Ivan Perisic.

Mexico entered the game needing only a draw, but played aggressively and looked dangerous in attack even before breaking through. The result gave Mexico a second-place finish behind Brazil in Group A and set up a second-round meeting with Group B winner the Netherlands.

''We overcame the first hurdle,'' Miguel Herrera said, adding that the team would dine with their families in Recife later Monday night. ''We're going to celebrate tonight but tomorrow we have to start thinking of our match with the Netherlands.''

Marquez, who had scored in Germany in 2006 and South Africa four years ago, made it three straight World Cups with a goal by beating Croatia defender Vedran Corluka to head home Hector Herrera's corner.

''They wanted him to retire, and look at him,'' Guardado said. ''He plays like he's 23''

Three minutes later, Guardado found the net with a hard, left-footed, one-time shot after a cross from Oribe Peralta.

Then in the 82nd, Hernandez, the popular Manchester United striker who has been a second-half substitute in all three of Mexico's matches, scored with a header after Herrera's corner had glanced off the head of Marquez.

''Mexico was equal in the first half. We tried to (attack) and left spaces in the second half,'' Croatia defender Danijel Pranjic said. ''They scored on set plays and Marquez killed us.''

Croatia didn't score until it was too late, with Perisic sliding a shot past Ochoa after being set up by a neat backheel pass from Ivan Rakitic.

''It's a moot point whether we should have kept it nil-nil until the last 10 minutes and then go all out on the attack,'' Croatia coach Niko Kovac said. ''We decided to attack earlier, but it wasn't successful.''

Croatia's late goal was the first Mexico has conceded in the World Cup, but ''El Tri'' hardly seemed to mind when the final whistle sounded and a lively, heavily Mexican crowd in Arena Pernambuco erupted.

''Today we felt as if we were playing at home in Mexico,'' Miguel Herrera said.

Mexico appeared to be laboring through a downspell before this World Cup. It struggled just to qualify out of CONCACAF and fired three coaches in a year's time before Miguel Herrera rescued Mexico's hopes. El Tri made it to Brazil as CONCACAF's fourth team after soundly beating New Zealand in a last-chance qualifier.

Marquez was quick to credit his energetic coach for unifying the national team in a way he'd never seen before.

''Officials, the coaches, the players have shown this unity and it is quite important,'' Marquez said. ''We've shown this on the pitch and off, and that is why we have such a sound, robust group. We get along very well. ... We're all united. We're working together, and therefore you work comfortably, with joy.''

Known as a coach of the people for the way he engages fans on social media and at times in public, Herrera implored the Mexico faithful to ''stay together'' and sing the national anthem ''like never before.''

 

Mexican fans, whose green jerseys distinguished them as the overwhelming majority in the crowd, belted out a thunderous rendition.

Croatia players were heckled each time they took a corner kick, as was goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa when he touched the ball.

Mexico's counterattacks only further enlivened the crowd, particularly a sizzling 25-yard shot by Hector Herrera that rattled the crossbar in the 16th minute.

---

Lineups:

Croatia: Stipe Pletikosa, Sime Vrsaljko (Mateo Kovacic, 58), Danijel Pranjic (Nikica Jelavic, 74), Ivan Perisic, Verdan Corluka, Dejan Lovren, Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric, Darijo Srna, Mario Mandzukic, Ivica Olic (Ante Rebic, 69).

Mexico: Guillermo Ochoa, Francisco Rodriguez, Rafael Marquez, Hector Moreno, Miguel Layun, Paul Aguilar, Jose Vazquez, Andres Guardado (Marco Fabian, 84), Hector Herrera, Giovani Dos Santos (Javier Hernandez, 62), Oribe Peralta (Carlos Pena, 79).

Neymar double buries Cameroon

Sydney Morning Herald

Neymar scored a brilliant brace as Brazil beat Cameroon 4-1 on Monday to secure top spot in World Cup Group A and a last-16 tie against Chile.

The Barcelona forward scored the 100th goal of the tournament in Brazil's 100th World Cup finals match to put the hosts ahead in the 17th minute. He restored their lead before the interval after Joel Matip had equalised for Cameroon.

Fred got Brazil's third early in the second half with substitute Fernandinho adding a late fourth.

Brazil's win, combined with Mexico's 3-1 victory against Croatia in the other Group A game in Recife, ensured that they progress as group winners, ahead of Mexico on goal difference. Brazil were much stronger, but head into Saturday's game against Chile in Belo Horizonte knowing that they can still improve.

Cameroon were already out of the tournament after losing their opening two matches, but the Indomitable Lions had the advantage of playing without any pressure.

Volker Finke's men passed the ball confidently early on and Vincent Aboubakar gave the hosts something to think about with a shot that was blocked by Marcelo, but it was Brazil who took the lead.

The opening goal came as a huge release for Brazil and their fans in the crowd of over 69,000.

Neymar's coolly sidefooted into the far corner of the net first-time from a low Luiz Gustavo cross.

However, the goal owed as much to the industry and craft of Luiz Gustavo, who did superbly to rob possession from Benjamin Moukandjo on the left before delivering a pinpoint ball.

It was the first time in the tournament that Scolari's side had scored the first goal of a game, and both Neymar and Fred came close to increasing their advantage, the latter lunging desperately to connect with a Paulinho cross but unable to scramble the ball home.

Instead, Cameroon silenced the home fans when they drew level in the 26th minute. 

Allan Nyom got away from Dani Alves on the left and delivered a low ball that evaded Thiago Silva and David Luiz to give Matip the easiest of finishes. The Schalke player recorded Cameroon's first goal at this World Cup.

Brazil did not panic, and Neymar again intervened to restore their lead in the 34th minute.

When Nyom's headed clearance was returned by Marcelo, the Barcelona player collected possession and cut inside before sending in a low shot from the edge of the area that passed underneath Nicolas Nkoulou and went right through Charles Itandje in goal.

Scolari replaced Paulinho at the interval, sending on Fernandinho, and the Manchester City midfielder had an immediate impact, helping Brazil open up a two-goal cushion four minutes into the second period.

His pass released David Luiz on the left-hand edge of the area and the latter's centre was headed into a gaping goal from four yards by the grateful Fred, who scored his first goal of the finals.

The striker may just have been in an offside position when the cross came in, but the Swedish assistant referee did not raise his flag, much to Cameroon's frustration and Fred's relief.

Neymar was withdrawn for the closing stages and watched as Fernandinho poked home the fourth goal in the 84th minute, having combined superbly with Fred and Oscar after Cameroon lost possession in their own half.

AFP

Spain salvage some pride in Brazil beats also run Australia 3-0

Jordi Alba hugs Fernando Torres as Spanish players console each other with a win

The Guardian

Spain attended their own funeral dressed in black. They came not to mourn their passing but to commemorate their life but there will be no evading the melancholy, nor the recriminations, and this was no celebration. It felt like it would be a game to endure not to enjoy. Spain departed Brazil to whistles and boos from Brazilian supporters who have been against them throughout this tournament and there were tears too, but they departed with a win.

Goals from David Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata defeated Australia, prevented Spain from finishing bottom of Group B, and momentarily recalled a time when they were world champions, not the first team out. But there is no going back.

Torres scored the goal that began Spain’s era when he scored the winner against Germany in the final of the 2008 European Championship, and now he scored the goal that closed the era too. There may have been professional satisfaction but there was no smile, no raised arm and few came to shake his hand. There was nothing to cheer. There had not been much more of a reaction when David Villa opened the scoring in the first half.

The Australians will be seeing more of Villa: he will play there next season, as he awaits a definitive move to New York and a team who do not even exist yet. Spain will not see him again. This was his last game and when he was withdrawn early in the second half, he did so slowly and sadly, eyes down. As he sat on the bench, he put his head in his hands and cried. Neither he nor his team-mates ever wanted or ever expected it to end like this.

At least Villa could depart in a way that more or less befitted his career: with a goal. There was no place for the captain Iker Casillas nor for Xavi, this generation’s ideologue. His international career ended on the bench. A footballing “romantic”, as he himself has put it, he departed the World Cup without having played at Maracanã. At the end here, he headed straight down the tunnel. He did not even approach the pitch for one last, lingering look.

Deep down, Villa and Torres both know that they partly played because there was nothing to play for. Vicente del Bosque had said that he wanted to ensure that every player in the squad would get the chance to take part in the World Cup. Of those who had not played a minute at the tournament, only Juan Mata was left out of the starting XI. So there they were, up front together, just like old times. Villa, the miner’s son from Asturias, was especially active. He was also curiously addicted to flicks and back heels. And that was how the goal came too.

Andrés Iniesta’s wonderful pass released Juanfran on the right and he pulled the ball across the area where Villa applied the finish for the last time. Top scorer at Euro 2008 and at the World Cup four years ago, he became his team’s joint top scorer at this World Cup too, on one. With nine World Cup goals and sixty in total, achieved without the fanfare and political pressure afforded to other players, he became the country’s best ever striker.

Midway through the second half, Torres scored the 38th goal of his international career and probably the saddest too, slotting in neatly after another wonderful pass from Iniesta. It will be Iniesta who leads a new Spanish generation and another pass from him found Cesc Fábregas to cross for Juan Mata, who controlled and tucked the ball away neatly between the legs of Mathew Ryan. At least there was a smile this time; Mata came on as a substitute for his first minutes of this competition but he will surely have more in the future.

For now, though, it is the end. Spain had scored three times and largely controlled this game, even if this lacked the intensity, edge and importance of previous occasions. How could it not? Remember me like this, they appeared to be saying. Better still, remember me like that.

When the final whistle went, so did they. A bus took them straight to the airport where a plane waited to take them home.

Varela header saves Portugal from another USA upset

Silvestre Varela celebrates after scoring his last second equaliser to deny USA an outright qualification

ABC

Portuguese substitute Silvestre Varela grabbed a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw with the United States in World Cup Group G and keep his team's hopes alive.

Just as it looked as though the Americans had secured a come-from-behind victory to qualify for the second round, Varela scored with a flying header from a Cristiano Ronaldo cross.

The result means that after two games, USA is level with Germany on four points. Portugal is joint bottom with Ghana on one point and faces a tough task to make the next round.

"When you concede in the last second it is unfortunate, but it was an amazing game from us, I can't ask for any more," US coach Juergen Klinsmann said.

The Americans face Germany in the final game and need a point to ensure qualification.

"We will take even more confidence into the next game. It will be another final but that is what the World Cup is about," said Klinsmann.

The US scored late to beat Ghana 2-1 in the first game and Clint Dempsey looked to have repeated the feat in the 81st minute against Portugal, steering the ball home with his stomach to give his team the lead.

Portugal lost its first game 4-0 to Germany and coach Paulo Bento said his team had to beat the Americans to stand any chance of progressing.

Portugal opened the scoring in the fifth minute when US defender Geoff Cameron swung a foot at a Miguel Veloso cross and succeeded only in slicing the ball across his own area right to the feet of Nani, who scored easily.

The Europeans then sat back in the heat and humidity, allowing their opponents to start dominating. The temperature in the Amazonia arena was 30 degrees Celsius at kickoff with a humidity reading of 65 per cent. 

Portugal still looked dangerous in the first half and Nani hit the left-hand post in the 45th minute from outside the area. The ball rebounded to Eder but his looping shot was brilliantly scooped over the bar by US goalkeeper Tim Howard.

As the second half progressed the Portuguese wilted and it was little surprise when US midfielder Jermaine Jones cut in from the left in the 64th minute and fired in a superb right- foot curling shot from 25 metres to equalise.

Portugal started with Ronaldo, who has been trying to shake off a knee injury. He was ineffective against the Germans and only shone fitfully against the Americans, leaving the best until last.

The US missed a great chance to equalise in the 55th minute when Michael Bradley's close-range shot was cleared off the line by Ricardo Costa.

Varela's goal was the second time he has struck late for Portugal at a major tournament. In Euro 2012, he scored an 87th-minute winner against Denmark in a first-round game.

Germany salvage a draw with Ghana

Germany's Mesut Ozil flanked by Ghanaian defenders

New York Times

By DUNCAN IRVING

 

Germany and Ghana traded blows in a pulsating 2-2 tie in Fortaleza on Saturday. The result leaves Germany at the top of Group G with four points from two games; a win for the United States against Portugal in Manaus tomorrow would give the Americans sole possession of top spot.

After a torpid first half of patient German possession and quick Ghanaian counterattacks, the game sprang to life in the 51st minute, when Mario Gotze capped a long run to head home Thomas Muller’s fine cross. The Germans had barely finished celebrating when Ghana pulled level; Andre Ayew rose above a static German defense to head past Manuel Neuer in the 54th minute.

The Black Stars took a shock lead in the 63rd minute, after Sulley Muntari broke up some sloppy German play in their own midfield to send a pass to Asamoah Gyan. The striker raced in on goal, took one touch to control the ball and another to fire it past the outstretched fingertips of Manuel Neuer.

But Germany Coach Joachim Low had an ace up his sleeve: the veteran striker Miroslav Klose. Germany won a corner, and Klose’s first action was to pop up at the far post to poke home a loose ball that flashed across the goalmouth. The goal was Klose’s 15th in World Cup finals play, tying him with Brazil’s Ronaldo as the all-time leading scorer. He also became the third player to score in four tournaments alongside Pele and Germany’s Uwe Seeler.

Both teams had chances in a frenetic finale, but neither could provide a winner. The result left Germany with four points and Ghana still alive in Group G.

Germany now faces the United States in Recife on June 26. Ghana will travel to Brasilia to play Portugal.

Luis Suarez double lifts Uruguay over England

Mirror UK

Defeat. Failure. Anger and anguish.

Not humiliation, yet, although it will be if we come back from Belo ­Horizonte monstered by a team of minnows again on Tuesday, 1950 revisited.

But the obvious flaws, punished. Far too easily. The same old heartbreak, on a different loop and in fresh ­surroundings. And in the final, brutal analysis, huge questions for Roy Hodgson and his FA paymasters to answer, even if the Three Lions chief insisted he wants to stay on.

Last night, it was perhaps inevitable that the agent of England’s destruction would be Luis Suarez. He might have been in a wheelchair less than a month ago, he can’t be even close to fully fit.

But he knows how to punish slapdash defending. And this England, for all their youthful promise, are the masters of slapdash defending.

Even when Wayne Rooney appeared, finally to have banished his World Cup hoodoo to give England hope, you could have guessed who would plunge the knife. Rooney’s 40th England goal, his first in 10 World Cup games, in the right place to steer home Glen ­Johnson’s cross, will now become a mere statistic, one of many. The most damaging, bitter one, though, was that England’s worst-ever World Cup showing – out after two games – will be confirmed if Costa Rica win or draw with Italy in Recife tonight. Even an Italian win will still require a footballing miracle.

Such an exit, no matter how much potential there is in the form of Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge, Ross Barkley and Adam Lallana, needs to have a scapegoat, a villain, perhaps a victim.

You only had to look at the pictures of Steven Gerrard, now entering the nightmare he had warned of on Wednesday, to know how the bottom has fallen out of the skipper’s world.

That horror slip against Chelsea, the collapse at Crystal Palace and, last night, the inadvertent assist for his Anfield club-mate.

Fernando Muslera, whose saves had kept out England when the frame of the goal did not come to his rescue, pumped forward and the ball skimmed off Gerrard’s head. Suarez, of course, was alert, alive, too quick for Phil Jagielka, too clever for a nerve-ridden Joe Hart, his finish lightning quick.

As Hodgson ruefully reflected, “He doesn’t miss from that area’’. He did not and England had no comeback. But that was the gamble, the ­high-wire act. As against Italy, when you fall off and have no safety net, you have to pay the ultimate price.

Hodgson knew that, too. He risked everything by loading the side with attacking players, opting for a central two, leaving the back line exposed.

It is impossible not to wonder whether John Terry, had Hodgson been able to entice him out of international retirement, would have dealt with Edinson Cavani’s cross for the opener better than Jagielka, who allowed Suarez to drift in behind him.

Likewise, as Hodgson admitted when he named his 23, there was a danger that he would look to have erred in trusting in Leighton Baines and leaving Ashley Cole, the best defensive left-back in the country, out ­altogether.You can’t build a garden shed without putting in proper foundations, let alone a castle to put up against the world. The fortress was stormed, overrun, with little effort or guile.

Those arguments will only have gained in currency after last night.

Chile eliminated Spain 2-0

FOX NEWS 

RIO DE JANEIRO –  Defending champion Spain, the dominant global football power for the past six years, was eliminated from World Cup contention Wednesday with a 2-0 loss to Chile.

Spain's famed passing game failed against a high-tempo, tenacious Chile team, its era ending in the storied Maracana Stadium filled mostly with Chilean supporters.

Eduardo Vargas tricked goalkeeper Iker Casillas into diving the wrong way, then shot into an unguarded goal in the 20th minute. Charles Aranguiz scored in the 43rd when the ball landed at his feet after Casillas punched out a free kick.

Spain's second loss, after a 5-1 rout by the Netherlands, ended any hope of advancing. Chile and the Netherlands will both advance, regardless of who wins the game between them.

Spain won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, in addition to the 2010 World Cup.

Spain came to Brazil with a very similar -- but older -- team than the one that won those titles. They added Brazilian-born striker Diego Costa, but he failed to score a goal.

Their "tiki-taka" style of play -- keeping the ball for long stretches with short passes, and only shooting when you had a clear opening -- had not been working as well in recent years. Brazil defeated Spain 3-0 in last summer's Confederations Cup, a warm-up for the World Cup.

Spain became the third straight European defending World Cup champion to flop in the group stage. France in 2002 and Italy four years ago also failed to advance, or even win a match.

Badly needing a win, del Bosque stayed loyal to captain Casillas despite the veteran goalkeeper's errors against the Dutch.

Two pillars of Spain's title runs, Barcelona pair Xavi Hernandez and Gerard Pique with a combined 194 appearances, were left out.

Xabi Alonso probably should have joined them. His agonizing first half typified Spain's problems and his errors led to both goals.

And Alonso's selection left a younger version of his former self, Atletico Madrid's Koke, on the bench until the logical change was made at half time.

Alonso gave away the ball to Alexis Sanchez to start a move down Chile's right wing by Arturo Vidal and Aranguiz, leading to Vargas' score. Alonso trailed behind the play and put his hands to his head.

Alonso was booked in the 40th before conceding another foul, on Sanchez, three minutes later 22 yards (meters) out.

When Casillas punched away Sanchez's curling free-kick, Aranguiz trapped the ball then flicked a rising shot spinning away from the goalkeeper's reach.

Alonso had Spain's best early chance, a 15th-minute shot smothered by Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

Often wayward in its passing, Spain missed two clear chances early in the second half.

Costa was slow on Andres Iniesta's threaded pass in the 49th, and Sergio Busquets was guilty of a glaring miss, volleying wide from five meters in the 53rd.

After Bravo pushed away shots by substitute Santi Cazorla and Iniesta, Chile's win was sealed.

Ochoa shines as Mexico shuts down Brazil 0-0

Bleacher Report 

Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa turned in a sparkling individual performance as Mexico held hosts Brazil to a scoreless draw in a thrilling World Cup Group A encounter Tuesday evening at the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza.

The result leaves the teams tied atop Group A with four points each heading into the third and final round of group matches, though Brazil currently sit in first place by virtue of their superior plus-two goal differential.

For both sides, the draw means only one point is necessary in their final group match to ensure progress to the knockout stages. Brazil will play Cameroon on Monday in Brasilia, while Mexico take on Croatia, simultaneously.

The result also means the loser of Wednesday's match between Cameroon and Croatia, if there is one, is out of the tournament.

Ochoa made six saves, per @NBCSportsSoccer, including a world-class stop in the first half to deny Neymar and another in the closing moments to keep out Thiago Silva.

The goalkeeper is currently a free agent, and his performance is likely to attract numerous club sides ahead of the beginning of the European season later this year

The match got off to a lively start, with both teams eager to attack.

Brazil looked to have created a big chance in the 11th minute as Fred poked wide at the near post, but the striker had been ruled offside regardless. At the other end, Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar tipped Hector Herrera's rasping shot over the bar in the 24th minute. The referee failed to spot the touch, though, and awarded a goal-kick to the hosts.

Two minutes later, Brazil carved out the best chance yet. Dani Alves crossed from the right for Neymar at the back post, where the Barcelona star directed a well-placed header on target. The breakthrough goal seemed inevitable, but Ochoa pushed the ball away at full stretch to keep Mexico level.

Ochoa saved again, this time more comfortably, in the 35th minute from Fred's tame header following a corner by Neymar. Marcelo then shot off target from distance four minutes later, and Mexico's Jose Juan Vazquez sliced a dipping shot narrowly wide four minutes before half-time.

Muller scores a hat trick as Germany thumps Portugal 4-0

German players huddle after scoring their opening goal

The Telegraph 

By Mark Ogden, Salvador

There are no ear-rings, bling or designer hair styles with Thomas Müller, but in a beauty contest against Cristiano Ronaldo in Salvador, the German delivered emphatic proof that substance beats style every time when you score a hat-trick.

Müller, the winner of the Golden Boot at South Africa 2010, put the current holder of the Ballon d’Or firmly in his place by leading Germany to victory against Portugalwith the first hat-trick of this World Cup.

How Ronaldo must wish he could play in white at the World Cup, just as he does for Real Madrid in La Liga. Then again, Germany are one of the few teams that can probably succeed well enough without him.

But in front of the watching German chancellor Angela Merkel, Joachim Low’s team showed they are determined to lead Europe’s challenge in Brazil.

Despite having won just three of their seventeen previous encounters with the Germans, Portugal went into this Group G fixture sensing the opportunity to improve their miserable record against the three-time world champions.

They had a fit-again Ronaldo in the starting line-up and the searing heat in Salvador, in excess of thirty degrees at kick-off time, would appear to favour a group of players accustomed to a Mediterranean climate over those from northern Europe.

Yet the only team affected by the broiling temperature was the Portuguese judging by their first-half capitulation.

As for Pepe, Portugal’s liability of a centre-half, it seemed as though he was suffering from some kind of sunstroke when he earned himself a red card, and almost certainly a suspension that will rule him out of the remainder of the group stage, for head-butting Müller on 38 minutes.

As one of world football’s most notorious hatchet men, Pepe will find sympathy in short supply following his moment of madness.

Perhaps the Real Madrid defender had realised at that point, however, that the game had already been lost and Müller was merely the victim of frustration boiling over.

Although Hugo Almeida and Ronaldo forced saves from Manuel Neuer inside the opening seven minutes, the early stages were dominated by Germany and Sami Khedira gave Portugal a warning of what was to come in the eighth minute when he shot wide of an empty net from twenty yards following a scuffed clearance by goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

Germany’s opening goal three minutes later was another example of questionable refereeing at this World Cup, with Serbian official Milorad Mazic awarding a penalty after Mario Götze went to ground under a challenge by Joao Pereira.

Lionel Messi shines as Argentina escapes a tough Bosnian side 2-1

Messi lived up to expectations

Bleacher Report

Argentina were made to work hard before claiming a 2-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in their World Cup Group F opener.

An early goal did not spark a goal-fest, but Lionel Messi showed his class with a wonderful second-half effort that set Argentina on their way to three points. Vedad Ibisevic set up a grandstand finish when he poked a shot through the legs of Sergio Romero with six minutes remaining, but Argentina held on.

If Bosnia-Herzegovina had a game plan to frustrate Argentina, it went out of the window three minutes into the contest.

Sergio Aguero was hacked down on the left, and Mensur Mujdza was made to pay a heavy price. A wicked free-kick from Messi was flicked on by Marcos Rojo, and the ball hit Sead Kolasinac and dribbled over the line.

The goal was a major setback for a side facing one of the favourites for the competition, but they shook off the blow to match Argentina early on.

The Bosnians’ work rate was impressive. They swarmed round the likes of Messi, Aguero and Angel Di Maria when not in possession and drove forward at pace when in control of the ball.

Izet Hajrovic caused the first major scare for Argentina when he dashed beyond the back line, but Romero was swift to race off his line and make a brave save.

It was not exactly the free-flowing spectacle from Argentina that had been hoped for, with the early goal possibly acting as an inhibitor.