Brazil 2-0 Mexico June 19, 2013

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90+ JO Brazil 2-0 Mexico June 19, 2013 Final
Mexico has raised their game against a top opponent again but, just like in their game against Italy,it has yet to result in them taking a lead. Mexico has kept Brazil at bay for the most part and even looked lively in attack during the first half, but one moment of brilliance from Neymar has the hosts up 1-0 at halftime of this Confederations Cup tilt.

El Tri started very slow, dropping deep and giving Brazil plenty of space in midfield. That backfired, however, and led to numerous early chances for Brazil. Their goal came in the 23rd minute on a great strike from Brazil's biggest star. Dani Alves set up the goal with a dangerous cross into the box that 'Maza' Francisco Rodriguez got a touch to, but couldn't clear completely away from danger. That set up Neymar stepping up and drilling a volley past Jose Corona from the edge of the box to give his team the lead.

Mexico was much better after the goal and perhaps even the better side in the last 20 minutes of the first half. They let Hulk and Neymar break away from them on a couple of dangerous-looking counters, but always recovered well and didn't allow Brazil to do much in the way of building sustained attacks at the end of the half.


Brazil could qualify for the destructive leg with a victory. They have collected 3 points, therefore another 3 would guarantee Brazil is going to complete leastways 2nd in Group A. Selecao looked excellent to Japan, and Luiz Felipe Scolari is going to want to maintain this drive to Mexico.

That is the best Brazil have just seen under Scolari, and that tourney can go a long way to get the team prepare for the World Cup.

Mexico just requires to win, leg. They have won only one time in 6 World Cup qualifying games. El Tri looked very monotonous in their 2-1 loss againist Italy in their 1st game of the tourney.

A loss would not accuse Mexico to sifting. However they would require many things to go right to make it to the destructive leg.

Mexico have sufficient capability to have achieve at the World Cup. Currently, Mexico players look non-sure of themselves and irregular on the field.

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Despite their valiant effort, Mexico kicked off their Confederations Cup campaign with a loss against Italy on Sunday. While a repeat performance would be mildly encouraging, it could also mean their exit from Confederations Cup. Brazil, who comfortably defeated Japan 3-0 in their opener, will like their chances to sink El Tri and potentially dump them out of the tournament, pending the result of Italy-Japan.

Brazil played with Neymar underneath Fred in their first match and the results were encouraging, with Fred setting up Brazil's biggest star for a fantastic 20-yard opening goal. The hosts never looked back after that and never looked to be under too much of a threat from Japan. Mexico entertained in their 2-1 loss to Italy, but were ultimately outclassed.

El Tri tend to bring their best against the world's top sides, but it's tough to see them having much of an answer for Brazil. There simply isn't a single aspect of the game in which they match up well, and it will probably take numerous bad mistakes from the home side for Mexico to avoid defeat.

Match date/time: Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET

Venue: Casteao, Fortaleza, Brazil

USA vs Honduras June 17, 2013

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On the surface, it seems that Honduras is more than just depleted for its game against the USA Tuesday, it's decimated.

It isn't just the number of players missing, it's the quality. Vital performers Boniek Garcia and Maynor Figueroa are injured, while hulking defender Victor Bernardez and defensive midfielder Luis Garrido are suspended.

If the forced absences weren't enough, forward Jerry Bengtson has left the team after a spat with manager Luis Fernando Suárez, following the coach's decision to bench the New England Revolution forward in the team's last qualifier against Jamaica.

While the U.S. may be quietly doing fist pumps and celebrating its good fortune, the team is understandably taking a more muted approach in public.

"It won't impact how we approach it at all," U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley told reporters before training Monday. "It's still Honduras and it's still 90 minutes to go out and try to win the game. As far as who plays for them, who doesn't, who's injured, who ends up being able to play, it doesn't change anything for us."

With the key absences, the Catrachos will be heavily reliant on some familiar faces to many U.S. national team members. Defender Matt Besler was a teammate of Roger Espinoza at Sporting Kansas City for four seasons before Espinoza was sold to Wigan.

"I have great things to say about Roger, I think he's a really good player," Besler said. "I think he's got a terrific engine and he's a valuable member of that team. He's a guy we're going to have to keep an eye on and make sure that we match his intensity."

Another vital player for Honduras on Tuesday will be winger Mario Martinez, who could be directly matched up against his club teammate in Seattle, Brad Evans, who has started the USA's last three games at right back.

"I've seen the things that he can do day in and day out in Seattle and there are some things that are just world class," Evans told a media roundtable Sunday. "He's a very, very good player with his left foot, he's extremely tricky, and you never know if he's going to cut it back.

"He's one of those guys that doesn't really have a right foot but when he does cut it back, he's skilled enough to hit it with the outside of his left boot."

In addition to Espinoza and Martinez, San Jose Earthquakes winger Marvin Chavez could be in line for a start on Tuesday, adding another well-known opponent for many of the U.S. players.

Coming off a 2-1 loss in Honduras in February, U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann is aware of the challenge the Central Americans will pose, regardless of the 11 players on the field.

"We have a lot of respect for Honduras because that's just the way it has to be. We had that experience in February and we expect them to be very physical," Klinsmann said.

"There will be a lot of battles on the field all over the place but we want to play our game, we want to be dominant hopefully on the field and take care of things the sooner the better. But we know it's going to be a hell of a lot of work."