World Cup 2018: Neymar to focus on football, not referees after Brazil win over Mexico says Tite

The Paris Saint-Germain star produced his best performance of the tournament to see off Mexico in Samara

Brazil coach Tite revealed he told Neymar to focus on playing football rather than complaining about refereeing decisions after the Paris Saint-Germain superstar produced a match-winning display to see off Mexico in a hotly-contested World Cup round-of-16 tie in Samara.

Mexico caused Brazil problems with their tenacity and pressing until Neymar broke the deadlock in the 51st minute, getting a toe to Willian’s cross/shot after releasing the Chelsea winger with a deft backheel. Another driving run and shot from the world’s most expensive footballer created an easy second goal for substitute Roberto Firmino late on to make sure of the win.

Neymar’s decisive performance was an emphatic response to the criticism he received in his homeland earlier in the tournament, when some pointed to his on-pitch histrionics and verbal outbursts as evidence that he was struggling with the pressure of leading Brazil.

And after the match, Tite confirmed that he had spoken to his star about his conduct. “I told him to leave to us to talk about refereeing,” the Brazil coach said in a news conference. “When it’s a situation about discipline that’s our responsibility. His is to play.”

Much of the pre-World Cup discussion focused on Neymar and the rest of the attacking firepower, but the 2-0 win in Samara saw Brazil record their 19th clean sheet in 25 matches since Tite took charge of the national side in June 2016.

“I consider the strongest characteristic of our team as balance,” Tite added. “Someone mentioned we are playing more like a club team than a national team and I took that as a compliment, and I told my team about that.

“I expected to repeat the standard of the previous match and if possible, to grow. And that happened. And that does not just go for the starting XI, but also the substitutes.”

Neymar was made to work for his second goal of the World Cup by Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in Samara, and still looks short of the sharpness he displayed for PSG prior to fracturing his metatarsal in February – but he insisted he is feeling good on the pitch again.

“Everybody knows about Ochoa’s qualities,” Neymar said. “Congratulations to him on a great match. I don’t give up. I’m a Brazilian. It was a goal made of perception of will and being connected to the game and pushing the ball forward.

“I’m here to win. I hope I can improve always. I knew that I was going to need some pace to get back to my normal tempo. I feel much better. I’m happy for the whole team and I congratulate my whole team and we’re always improving.”