Brazil’s national football team seldom lack buoyancy but they have been repeatedly sunk by Mexican waves in recent years.
No team has beaten Brazil in the 21st century as often as Mexico, who have managed six wins and two draws in 12 meetings during that period. The Mexicans also won the last meeting of the 20th century, in the 1999 Confederations Cup final.
But it was the 2012 Olympic final defeat that hurts Brazil the most, even though it was not a recognised senior international. Oscar, one of five first-team regulars for Brazil who played in that final, admits: “Of course I was very sad. It is a medal that Brazil have never won and we lost the final.
“We know that Mexico are a good team, they always give Brazil a hard time and it won’t be any different when we play in the next match. They play the ball out from the back well and are very good on the counter-attack.”
