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Mexico\'s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa makes a save during the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Mexico at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Tuesday, June 17, 2014. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Brazil and Belgium prove old adage that there are no easy games at the World Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazil and Belgium proved the old adage that there are no easy games at the World Cup.

Brazil failed to beat Mexico for the first time at a World Cup, held to a 0-0 draw in their second game in Group A.

With Neymar rampant through the middle, Marcelo ever-willing to go forward and Oscar supplying passes, Brazil should be scoring almost at will. Time and again, Brazil’s yellow shirts swarmed over Mexico’s penalty box.

But shots went awry, Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was outstanding and Brazil is clearly missing a top-notch centre-forward. Fred had a first-half effort disallowed for offside.

Belgium is talked about as a possible contender at this World Cup. But for the longest time in its laboured 2-1 win against Algeria, it wasn’t clear why.

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