The Mexico national football team and the Brazil national football team have a storied history of competitive encounters, spanning World Cups, Copa América tournaments, and the Olympic Games. These matches are often highly anticipated, given Brazil’s status as a footballing powerhouse and Mexico’s reputation for being a formidable opponent in international tournaments. Below is a timeline highlighting the key encounters between these two teams.
Timeline of Key Matches
- June 27, 1950 – FIFA World Cup
- Location: Estádio Independência, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Result: Brazil 4-0 Mexico
- Summary: The first World Cup encounter between the two sides took place during the group stage of the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. The host nation dominated the match, with goals from Ademir, Jair, and Baltazar, showcasing Brazil’s attacking prowess.
- June 16, 1954 – FIFA World Cup
- Location: Stade des Charmilles, Geneva, Switzerland
- Result: Brazil 5-0 Mexico
- Summary: In another World Cup group stage match, Brazil once again showed their superiority with a comprehensive victory over Mexico. The Brazilian team, led by stars like Didi and Pinga, overwhelmed the Mexican defense.
- June 29, 1962 – FIFA World Cup
- Location: Estadio Sausalito, Viña del Mar, Chile
- Result: Brazil 2-0 Mexico
- Summary: Brazil and Mexico met in the group stage of the 1962 World Cup in Chile. Brazil, featuring the legendary Pelé and Garrincha, secured a 2-0 win, with goals from Zagallo and Pelé, en route to winning their second World Cup title.
- June 3, 1970 – FIFA World Cup
- Location: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
- Result: Brazil 4-0 Mexico
- Summary: During the 1970 World Cup, hosted by Mexico, the two teams clashed in the group stage. Brazil, considered one of the greatest teams of all time, won convincingly with goals from Pelé, Tostão, and Jairzinho. This tournament saw Brazil lift their third World Cup trophy.
- July 13, 1999 – FIFA Confederations Cup Final
- Location: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
- Result: Mexico 4-3 Brazil
- Summary: One of the most memorable matches in the rivalry took place in the final of the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup. Mexico shocked Brazil with a thrilling 4-3 victory to win their first major international trophy. Goals from Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Francisco Palencia were crucial in securing the win for Mexico.
- June 27, 2005 – FIFA Confederations Cup
- Location: AWD-Arena, Hanover, Germany
- Result: Mexico 1-0 Brazil
- Summary: In the group stage of the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, Mexico once again surprised Brazil with a 1-0 victory. Jared Borgetti scored the only goal of the match, and Mexico’s disciplined defense managed to keep Brazil at bay.
- July 19, 2007 – Copa América
- Location: Estadio Polideportivo Cachamay, Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela
- Result: Brazil 3-0 Mexico
- Summary: Brazil and Mexico met in the semifinals of the Copa América, with Brazil coming out on top with a commanding 3-0 win. Goals from Júlio Baptista, Robinho, and Josué secured Brazil’s place in the final, which they eventually won.
- June 17, 2014 – FIFA World Cup
- Location: Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza, Brazil
- Result: Brazil 0-0 Mexico
- Summary: In the group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Brazil, the two teams played out a 0-0 draw. Despite Brazil’s attacking efforts, Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa delivered an outstanding performance, making several crucial saves to secure a point for Mexico.
- June 2, 2013 – FIFA Confederations Cup
- Location: Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza, Brazil
- Result: Brazil 2-0 Mexico
- Summary: In the group stage of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil defeated Mexico 2-0, with goals from Neymar and Jô. Brazil went on to win the tournament, defeating Spain in the final.
- July 2, 2018 – FIFA World Cup
- Location: Samara Arena, Samara, Russia
- Result: Brazil 2-0 Mexico
- Summary: The most recent World Cup encounter between the two sides came in the Round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Brazil won 2-0, with Neymar and Roberto Firmino scoring the goals. The victory ended Mexico’s World Cup run, while Brazil advanced to the quarterfinals.
- August 11, 2021 – Tokyo 2020 Olympics (Men’s Football)
- Location: Kashima Stadium, Kashima, Japan
- Result: Brazil 0-0 Mexico (Brazil won 4-1 on penalties)
- Summary: In the semifinals of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the match ended in a goalless draw, but Brazil triumphed 4-1 on penalties. Brazil advanced to the final and later won the gold medal, while Mexico went on to win the bronze medal match.
Notable Moments and Trends
- Brazil’s Dominance: Historically, Brazil has been the more successful side in this rivalry, particularly in World Cup matches. They have consistently shown their strength, with many victories over Mexico across various tournaments.
- Mexico’s Upsets: Despite Brazil’s overall dominance, Mexico has achieved notable victories, especially in the FIFA Confederations Cup. The 1999 final and the 2005 group stage win stand out as key moments where Mexico managed to outplay Brazil.
- Guillermo Ochoa’s Heroics: The 2014 World Cup match is particularly remembered for Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa’s incredible performance, where he made several world-class saves to keep the game scoreless against a strong Brazilian attack.
Conclusion
The timeline of matches between the Mexico national football team and the Brazil national football team reflects a rivalry that, while often dominated by Brazil, has seen Mexico pull off some surprising and memorable victories. These encounters are always highly anticipated, as they feature two nations with rich footballing histories and passionate fan bases. As these teams continue to evolve, future matches will undoubtedly add new chapters to this fascinating football rivalry.
