Guillermo Ochoa had the game of his life as Brazil and Mexico played out a 0-0 draw at Fortaleza tonight. Repeatedly frustrating the Brazilians, Ochoa, along with his central defenders Rafael Marquez and Rodriguez shut out the threat of the home side’s attacks.
Ochoa has had to wait for his turn to don the ‘keepers gloves in the World Cup. Twice previously he had travelled with his country’s contingent – to Germany in 2006 and to South Africa in 2010; both times he was kept warming the bench. Yet the Mexican goalkeeper is very highly regarded in his country, especially by coach Miguel Herrera, and tonight he showed why he is.
Twice in either half he was forced to pull off a stunning save to keep his side in the game, yet by his own reactions and by that of his teammates, he was not doing something extraordinary – he was merely pulling off what for him were routine saves on the biggest stage of them all – at the World Cup in Brazil, against Brazil.
The first save came halfway in the first half, when a cross from Dani Alves found a carelessly marked Neymar at the penalty spot. The Barcelona attacker directed his header at the near post, and on any other day, it would have been a certain goal. But Ochoa had other ideas, leaping sharply to his right and clawing the \ball away from the goal. Later, replays showed how close it was to being a goal –cameras showed that had the ball travelled even a few centimetres more, it would have been a goal.
The second save came towards the end of the first half, as a cross by Alves was chested down by Thiago Silva, breaking free for Paulinho, who, with the goal at his mercy, suddenly was confronted by the sight of Ochoa bearing down on him. The Tottenham midfielder tried to smash the ball past the keeper but Ochoa stayed strong and the resultant ricochet was cleared easily.
The third save made by Ochoa was probably the best of the lot. A cross in by Bernard from the left was superbly controlled by Neymar, who then shot at goal on the half-volley, yet the Mexican keeper was at hand to deny him again.
Finally the fourth save, around the 80 minute mark, was when a Neymar freekick from near the corner flag was superbly met by Silva, yet Ochoa was able to pull off a reflex save from point blank range.
But it was not all an Ochoa show. Marquez and Rodriguez time and again were there to close down the Brazillian attack, playing a highline which caused Fred to drift offside more often than not. Thursday’s hero Oscar was harried and bullied mercilessly by fullback Moreno and finally Giovani dos Santos, Peralta and later Javier Hernandes and Raul Jiminez, though unable to really cause a lot of problems for Brazil ‘keeper Julio Cesar, kept the former QPR man guessing with potshots from all over the pitch.
At the end of the day, Brazil will reflect on the match as 2 points dropped, with Mexico will be more than happy with the night’s result. All eyes will be on tomorrow’s game between Croatia and Cameroon. If Cameroon wins, Mexico are virtually guaranteed a place in the next round as Cameroon’s final game is against Brazil. If Croatia wins, Mexico just need a draw to see them to the round of 16.
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