They're not very good in actual fact, are they?

They look chaotic, not very good tactically, but Neymar is fantastic.

I may be wrong but didn't Scolari say "don't expect us to run the show"?.

Edit. Sorry. That was apparently in reference to the Mexico game.

Either way it's probably a lot of pressure for a team like Brazil in a home World Cup.

It's early days yet but the last 16 tie will be a significant hurdle no matter who they face.

People forget that Spain lost their first match last time - and went on to win the 2010 world cup.

It is still early - Brazil could improve markedly when it really matters. But its quite likely now their last 16 game will be against Spain - which many assumed pre tournament might be the final!

Brazil are a counter attacking team - they have no flair in the middle of the park. Against a packed defence, they will struggle to open teams up. They're more suited to playing against against teams that prefer to attach like Spain, Argentina, Chile etc.

There is the likelihood that they may play Spain in the 2nd round.

I think Neymar has been very good indeed, I thought he was very good last night,but the rest of his forwards haven't got much quality, with the exception of Oscar.

Fred and Jo seem very poor

Or imagine if Brazil come 2nd in their group and have to meet Holland, who should top their group.

They have four points with Cameroon to come. They will top the group and improve as they go IMO.

As I said last night, it just seems to be Neymar and ten others out on the pitch for them at the moment.

I'll be surprised if they get beyond the second round, to be honest.

They've played two teams from outside the FIFA top 10 and have struggled in both matches......it's not looking good at all.

^^ Thats my thinking if you compare their performance against non top 10 teams, to the matches with Germany, Holland and Italy then I too think they're struggling.

I like that they have been average - makes for a more open tournament

i'd like them to go no further than the quarter final, if only to see the national Brazilian reaction to them not winning the WC on home soil

Argentina or Netherlands to win it !

If all goes to plan, Brazil should be playing Germany in the semi-final. This should be interesting. The two best football nations that have met only once in the final of 2002. Back then Brazil were brilliant and Germany quite poor, so it might be all different this time round. However, Germany are not very good defensively, so maybe Neymar will get a few goals in.

That's horrible though. It would be a disasterous WC if Brazil get eliminated so early. Plus, Argentina weren't much better than Brazil in their opening game.

Don't get me wrong I like Brazil but i didn't quite warm to neymars attitude taking that penalty. I agree the locals will lose interest if Brazil get eliminated early so it's good for the tournament of they progress quite far.

Messis goal was one of my favourites so far so in an ideal world id like to see more of holland and Germany and Argentina.

Couldn't care less about ronaldo and Portugal. The earlier they get out the better

Dark horse? Costa Rica !

While it's a shame when a hosting nation get knocked out early in a tournament, it's something all nations have to face and have faced. Brazil as home nation have got a "free pass" into the finals and are playing at the moment like they think they should get a "free pass" into the knockout stages. Either "shape up or ship out" it's nice to see teams taking the games to some of the bigger players of world football.

Hmmm... Neymar's attitude? If players refused to take wrongfully awarded penalties, Germany would be stripped of at least 2 of their titles. I'm sure no one would say: "No thank you ref, we didn't deserve the penalty."

Messi's goal was nice, but Argentina are terribly organised and didn't look a like a well coached team. Time will tell though.

Holland and Germany were great, I agree, but I thought Italy was great too. Costa Rica looked strong, but I'm hoping Italy will put them in their place.

I disagree. Firstly, all teams get a "free pass" to a WC hosted in their country, so Brazil didn't get any special treatment. I thought Brazil weren't great because they don't really have any superstars at the moment apart from Neymar and Scolari isn't a great coach anymore. However, I think the care greatly about their game. In fact, the pressure of expectation might be getting to them.

Yes I know all teams get a "free pass" and they don't deserve it. The whole structure of the WC needs re-organising it should be the best 32 teams in the World not just the best teams from a certain area.

How their goalie is QPR's reserve keeper shows that they obviously have weaknesses.

I noticed Mexico had plenty of long range shots last night, very good tactic against this team, and I can see that coming off in the next few games if Brazil get much further.

Just a shame all of Mexico's shots went approx nine inches over the bar each time

I don't think the poster meant it that way. I think he was referring to the way in which he took the penalty. IE not a one fluid motion, which I think is the legal way.

This to me shows the desperation of Brazil, that they ,of all teams, are resorting to dirty tactics. The dive from Marcello last night was just embarrasing and funny at the same time. I thought the referee was superb last, incredibly strong in that atmosphere, and not taking any of their nonsense.

Yeah, certainly no cries of fix last night, the ref had opportunities to award dubious decisions and didn't.

Spot on. Brazil resorting to dirty tactics plus the way he took the penalty makes them look really desperate to win the final no matter what