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2018 World Cup Thread.

I can watch snippets tomorrow..haha
Why don't you go to sleep now (about 8pm) and forget about watching Brazil versus Mexico, then wake up at 1.30am to watch Japan versus Belgium at 2am? :)
 
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Why don't you go to sleep now (about 8pm) and forget about watching Brazil versus Mexico, then wake up at 1.30am to watch Japan versus Belgium? :)
My body clock can't handle... Seriously. .. lol :D
 
Posted at 20:4220:42

It is VERY hot

Brazil v Mexico (15:00 BST)

Patrick Jennings

BBC Sport in Samara

I honestly cannot explain just how hot it is here.

I was in Samara last week for Russia v Uruguay and walking to the ground that day felt like a wander on the surface of Venus.

It is six degrees hotter now - we are up to 38C. The happiest person I've seen today was the woman outside the media centre hugging an air conditioning unit.
 
Posted at 21:1521:15

Who could miss the quarter-final?

Brazil v Mexico (15:00 BST)

There are four players at risk of missing the quarter-final should they progress today.

Brazil trio Casemiro, Neymar and Philippe Coutinho are all on a yellow card so need to be on their best behaviour.

Mexico mainstay Hector Herrera is also on a yellow.
 
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One change for Brazil following their 2-0 Group E win over Serbia and it's the one we expected with the injured Marcelo replaced by Filipe Luis at left back.

Fagner keeps his place at right back despite Danilo having recovered from the thigh strain that ruled him out of the win over Serbia.

Brazil XI: Alisson, Fagner, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Filipe Luis, Paulinho, Casemiro, Willian, Coutinho, Neymar, Gabriel Jesus.
 
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Mexico make two changes after finishing the group stage with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Sweden.

Veteran Rafael Marquez and Hugo Ayala come in, with suspended centre back Hector Moreno and Miguel Layun dropping out.

Marquez, 39, is listed as playing in the centre of midfield but expect him to drop into a back three.

Mexico XI: Ochoa, Alvarez, Ayala, Salcedo, Gallardo, Herrera, Marquez, Guardado, Vela, Hernandez, Lozano.
 
Posted at 21:23

Can Mexico bounce back from defeat?
Brazil v Mexico (15:00 BST)
In contrast to Brazil, Mexico started the World Cup with a bang. They saw off Germany and South Korea but were stopped in their tracks by Sweden.
A heavy 3-0 defeat going into the last 16 isn't ideal but Mexico have shown they aren't afraid of the big favourites when they beat the defending champions 1-0.
 
21:33
Mexico's danger man
Brazil v Mexico (15:00 BST)
Javier Hernandez is certainly Mexico's main threat going forward.
He had only had one shot on target in 270 minutes at this year’s World Cup before scoring his 50th international goal against South Korea - the one being his goal.
And with 105 caps for Mexico, he's been there and done it. They will need his clinical goalscoring form and experience today if they are to knock out the favourites.
His passion during the national anthems has been lovely to see but he really needs to sort his hair do. He's had a shocker there.

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21:35
Blonde is the new thing
Brazil v Mexico (15:00 BST)
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Patrick Jennings
BBC Sport in Samara
There was a lot of chat in the build-up to this about the Mexico team all dyeing their hair blonde - like the Romania side of World Cup 1998.
They've just come out here for their warm-up and I can count four hastily arranged new hairstyles among them.
The ground's starting to fill up now - and is becoming ever more yellow by the minute.
 
21:36
Will Brazil be inhibited by the weight of expectation?
Brazil v Mexico (15:00 BST)
Tim Vickery
BBC Sport South American football expert
Brazil is a little bit nervy today. Many of the Brazil fans know that Mexico have beaten them on a number of occasions recently, including the Olympic final in 2012. Ever since the 1970s, Mexico had seen Brazil as superstars until a match in 1999 when they pushed them close.
That was the turning point in this fixture because it gave them hope. To beat Brazil in a World Cup would be the greatest feat for Mexico. For Brazil to lose, it would be a disaster. So let’s see how the players react to this kind of pressure. Will Mexico be inspired or will Brazil be inhibited by the weight of expectation.
 
21:37
Another giant killing?
Brazil v Mexico (15:00 BST)
Mexico have already beaten one of the giants at this year's World Cup. Can they do it again?
 
Posted at 21:40

'Mexico only 2% likely'
Brazil v Mexico (15:00 BST)

Simon Gleave, head of analysis, Gracenote Sports:
"Mexico's win against Germany in their opening match of the World Cup increased their chances of winning the competition to 5%. This was because the Mexican team looked like topping Group F and avoiding Brazil in the first knockout match.
"After losing heavily to Sweden, Mexico ended the group phase in second place, so now face Brazil in the last 16 and their chance of winning the competition has dropped to 2%, lower than pre-tournament."

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'More likely NOT to win'
Brazil v Mexico (15:00 BST)

Simon Gleave, head of analysis, Gracenote Sports:
"Brazil have been favourites to win the 2018 World Cup since before the draw was made. However, the Selecao's chance of becoming world champions dropped after their opening match draw with Switzerland. This was due to greater uncertainty of progressing past the group stage and returned to normal with the team's qualification to the last 16.
"Brazil's chance of lifting the Fifa World Cup on 15 July is now 25%, the highest it has been so far. There is still a long way to go though and currently Brazil are more likely NOT to win the World Cup than they are to win it."

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Posted at 21:47

'No set captain for Brazil is worrying'
Brazil v Mexico (15:00 BST)
Tim Vickery
BBC Sport South American football expert
Brazil haven't had a set captain in this tournament and I worry about it. I think Neymar needs someone to take him under their wing when he showboats a bit too much. In 2010 when he was just breaking through, Santos, his club at the time, were awarded a penalty in a league match. The manager stopped him from taking it, and he threw such a tantrum that the game was not able to restart for some time. The opposition manager at the time, said that we were creating a monster.
He hasn't come through street football where you have to toughen up to defend yourself, he has come from Futsal where the referee has been his protection. He still plays to the referee now but sometimes it is to the detriment of the team.
 
Posted at 21:4821:48
Neymar's underwhelming World Cup
Brazil v Mexico (15:00 BST)
When the world's most expensive player managed to find the net against Costa Rica, Brazil went wild - and his sister dislocated her shoulder.
So watch out Rafaella Santos, your brother will be looking to get on the score-sheet again today. Stay away from hard objects.
It took Neymar 16 attempts to score his only goal at Russia. He's not been his usual self but it's easy to forget he's missed most of 2018 through injury.
Neymar has sparked debate in Russia with his dives, tricks and tears.
Hopefully he'll be doing more scoring and less of this today...
 
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