World Cup 2014 Video: Brazil held by Mexico as England begin countdown to Uruguay

Video: James Olley reports from Copacabana beach as Brazil draw against Mexico and as England prepare to face Uruguay on Thursday

Staff
Wednesday 18 June 2014 11:14 BST
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A general view as England train during a training session at the Urca military base training ground in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A general view as England train during a training session at the Urca military base training ground in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Copacabana felt flat on Tuesday evening as the World Cup hosts were held to a draw by Mexico in their second group game.

The famous beach in Rio de Janeiro felt a world away from the mixture of euphoria and relief last Thursday when the Brazilians overcame the Croatians in the opening match of the tournament.

Talk of the town and star of the first match, Neymar, could not score against Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who frustrated the hosts, and the Mexicans could easily have delivered only Brazil’s second group stage defeat in 44 years.

Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari told Brazilians newspaper O Globo: "In the end, 0-0 is not a good result, but it mirrors what the game was. The team has been good, but we are also facing selections of good quality.

"It is not a good result but you have to respect your opponent, who are very good."

Meanwhile, England are counting down the hours until their second match against Uruguay, with a loss unthinkable and a draw unhelpful.

Frank Lampard spoke to the press yesterday and said he was dismayed by a "fixation" and "agenda" towards Wayne Rooney. The striker is still yet to score in a World Cup match and despite creating Daniel Sturridge's goal last Saturday, he seemed out of place playing on the left against the Italians.

It seems likely that Rooney will return to the No 10 central role for the Uruguay match on Thursday.

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