Beneath the fancy hair, the absurd solipsism and the antics of a latter-day Sun King, it is good to be reminded sometimes that Neymar is an exceptionally gifted footballer. It was his goal that broke the deadlock and if his influence on this game was far more positive than in any in the group stage, it was almost entirely because he played without that same furious determination to be the protagonist.
But, of course, he is the same Neymar, the same diva who must always be the centre of attention. Just when everything seemed to be going well, just when it seemed there might be an argument he was growing into his role, he reacted ludicrously as Miguel Layún picked the ball from between his feet as he lay by the side of the pitch. Perhaps the Mexican midfielder did brush his ankle but the fourth official was roughly six inches away and saw nothing untoward, and neither did VAR.
Written by Jonathan Wilson at the Samara Arena
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/02/brazil-mexico-world-cup-last-16-match-report under the title “Neymar and Firmino take Brazil past Mexico and into World Cup last eight”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
