Brazil vs. Mexico: Brazil Wins Messy Match That Wasn't Least Bit Friendly

Brazil met Mexico on Tuesday night in what was more clash than meaningless match. The International Friendly holds no significance, but someone should have told both sides which played a cracking match that turned rough at every turn. 

The match may ave been scheduled as a friendly, but the two nations were playing for pride, putting both of their stellar offenses to the test. 

The result failed to give a sense of where these two world powers are in their hunt for World Cup glory in 2014. In a weird twist of fate, Mexico outplayed the Brazilians for the majority of the game, only to see two late goals secure the win for Brazil, 2-1. 

El Tri came out with immense pressure on Brazil. Every ball and cross was challenged as if this were the knockout stages of the World Cup. 

The passion seemed to ignite the players and played into some gaffes by the Brazil defense. The biggest was by Brazil star Dani Alves. 

Alves made a tremendous error as he shoved Javier Hernandez in the box. The foul was a clear lapse of judgment and seemed to be a moment when the Brazilian boiled over in a match that was far from friendly. 

The penalty kick was parried away however and was the sign of things to come for Brazil. Mexico seemed to lose steam as the clock ticked away in the second half. 

Brazilian legend who has seen better days, Ronaldinho, found the net in the 79th minute. The goal was classic Ronaldinho as he struck with poise and power. 

That was the last straw as Brazil controlled the bulk of the momentum to close the match. And a Mexico team that has become a world power in the last couple years was sent off with their first loss under head coach Jose Manuel de la Torre. 

The match was a mixed bag for me as Mexico was the superior team for the bulk of the minutes. They just couldn't match wits with fate and star power in the end. 

The real item of note was the heart Mexico played with. This is a team that is still asserting itself as a threat to drive deep into the World Cup in 2014. If they play with the same passion every match, they just may get there.