Mexico survives against host country Brazil 0 - 0 in Monday's match at Estado Castelao in Fortaleza. Although the game resulted into a goalless draw, Fortaleza was still awe-stricken as the two countries played together.
Jeff Borzello of CBS Sports describes the match as "one of the best matches we've seen at this World Cup."
Brazil had a great advantage during the match, owing to a high possession rate (53%). However, numerous attempts of the Brazilians on the first half of the match were thwarted by goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
Guillermo Ochoa made numerous saves to keep Brazil from making scores. On the 26th - minute mark, the gallant goalkeeper took a dive to block a header delivered by Neymar. Fred and Paulinho also made attempts to score during the first half of the match, but these efforts turned futile as Ochoa excellently prevented the Brazilians from taking the lead.
Neymar, Brazil's ace player, was constantly challenged by Ochoa during the second half of the match. Numerous attempts to bury a score were thwarted by the Mexican defender.
Mexican coach Miguel Herrera's decision on choosing Guillermo Ochoa instead of Jose de Jesus Corona seems to have paid off. "We haven't been mistaken," Herrera tells The New York Times.
"I never dreamt of playing a game like this," said Ochoa in The New York Times, who called it the most important performance of his career. "There are nights when you get out there and the ball seems to hit you even if you close your eyes. There are games like that."
In addition, CNN report quotes a tweet from World Cup 2014 (@WorldCupTweets), branding Ochoa as the "man of the match."
"They have a very good goalkeeper who had a very good day," said Luis Felipe Scolari, Brazil's coach, in Andrew Keh's report in The New York Times. "That is why we could not win."
Brazil will soon face Cameroon at Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, while Mexico will be pitted against Croatia at Arena Pernambuco in Recife. Both games will be played on June 23, Monday.
