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PREPARED

Did you spot Brazil’s corner tactic designed to stop Mexico’s counter attacks?

Brazil were clearly wary of the threat from Mexico on the break

Talk about preparing for your opponent.

Mexico are rapidly gaining a reputation as the most deadly counter attacking side at the World Cup.

They clinically dispatched of Germany after Joachim Low’s side walked right into their trap.

Probably discussing how they can sting you when you least expect it

AP:Associated Press
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Probably discussing how they can sting you when you least expect it

Keen to avoid suffering a repeat of Germany’s fate, Brazil are being extra cautious of Mexico’s well-known strength.

When Brazil had a corner in the 17th minute, it actually ended up being more beneficial for their opposition. Let me finish.

Brazil committed just four men forward into the box, deciding instead to leave the majority of their players back.

Four v four

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Four v four

Surprisingly, one of the men who remained back in defence was Thiago Silva.

The PSG centre-back is widely regarded as a danger in the air and actually scored a header from a corner in their last match against Serbia.

Silva can be seen on the halfway line keeping tabs on Javier Hernandez

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Silva can be seen on the halfway line keeping tabs on Javier Hernandez

Willian took his time when standing over the corner and looked pretty baffled about who to actually knock the ball into.

He was very short of options.

“Ermmm… where is everyone?”

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“Ermmm… where is everyone?”

“No? Okay then.. I’ll just whip it into nobody”

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“No? Okay then.. I’ll just whip it into nobody”

Despite Brazil being wise to the Mexican counter threat, they still couldn’t prevent the inevitable.

Mexico cleared the corner and attacked quickly in numbers. Shock.

GO GO GO!

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GO GO GO!

Carlos Vela and co reached the Brazilian penalty area just a matter of seconds after clearing their opposition’s corner.

The tactics of Tite to leave players back proved to be a shrewd move

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The tactics of Tite to leave players back proved to be a shrewd move

Believe it or not, Brazil had a corner 10 seconds ago…

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Believe it or not, Brazil had a corner 10 seconds ago…

The cautious tactic continued to be used for the rest of Brazil’s corners in the first-half.

Brazil did however take the lead in the second-half when Neymar scored from close range.

Mexico are a very, very dangerous opposition… just ask Germany.

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