Brazil Vs. Mexico: Dos Santos And Chicharito Lead El Tri To Win

Brazil Vs. Mexico: Final Score, Giovani dos Santos, Referee The Story

Brazil put together a decent showing against Mexico on Sunday evening, but thanks to some bad luck and some absolutely terrible officiating by Silviu Petrescu, the scoreboard doesn't indicate that. In front of a massive crowd of more than 84,000 people, Mexico ran out 2-0 winners over Brazil, and one of their goals was truly spectacular.

Giovani dos Santos scored the opening goal and the eventual winner in the 22nd minute, chipping Brazil goalkeeper Rafael from a narrow angle and sneaking his shot into the net at the far post. Just 11 minutes later, he drew a penalty, which was converted by Javier Hernandez.

Brazil were repeatedly denied clear goals or penalties by Petrescu and his assistants. Leandro Damiao had a good goal disallowed for offside in the 10th minute and Hulk had a very clear penalty shout denied in the 20th minute. The officiating crew's second half errors were just as egregious. In the 53rd minute, Jose Corona hacked down Oscar in the box, but inexplicably no penalty was given.

Even with the decisions that went against them, Brazil had plenty of chances to score, but couldn't make the most of them. Pato came on as a substitute in the 61st minute and it didn't take him long to miss an absolute sitter. They hit the target on five occasions as well, but Corona had a very good game in goal for Mexico and made a couple of excellent saves late in the game.

Hulk had a good game for Brazil, but his three forward mates were all a bit disappointing. Brazil controlled play for most of the game, but struggled to create clear chances. The Mexico back line put in a very good performance, and they look ready for World Cup qualifying.

You can find all of our earlier coverage of the game in our Brazil vs. Mexico StoryStream. For more on Mexican football, head over to FMF State Of Mind.

Brazil Vs. Mexico: Halftime Score, El Tri Up 2-0 Through Giovani Dos Santos, Chicharito

Update: Mexico 2-0 Brazil, final score

Brazil aren't playing poorly against Mexico in their friendly at Cowboys Stadium, but thanks to some questionable officiating and one spectacular moment of quality from El Tri, they're trailing 2-0 at halftime. Giovani dos Santos had a hand in both Mexico goals, scoring the first and drawing a penalty for the other.

Hulk and Leandro Damiao have done enough to create a couple of goals for Brazil, but neither stood. Damiao had a good goal disallowed for offside in the 10th minute when he was very clearly on, while Hulk was denied a clear penalty shout in the 20th minute. He blew by 'Maza' Francisco Rodriguez in the 20th minute and was tripped, but the referee didn't see a foul. This proved to be decisive two minutes later.

Related: Video of Giovani dos Santos' chipped goal

Dos Santos, rarely used by his club team Tottenham Hotspur but a regular starter for Mexico, broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute with an absolutely brilliant goal. From a ridiculous narrow angle just inside the penalty box, he hit a great chip over goalkeeper Rafael and into the back of the net at the far post, producing a goal reminiscent of the one that put the United States away in last summer's Gold Cup final.

Mexico doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when dos Santos drew a penalty. While he was running away from the goal, Juan inexplicably hauled him down and the referee pointed to the spot. 'Chicharito' Javier Hernandez, back in the starting XI after sitting out for two games, stepped up and converted the spot kick.

Brazil have had most of the ball and most of the chances, but things aren't going their way. Mexico are catching all of the breaks from the officials, and their one moment of true quality was better than anything Brazil have created.

We'll have updates and live coverage in our Brazil vs. Mexico StoryStream. For more on Mexican football, head over to FMF State Of Mind.

VIDEO: Giovani Dos Santos Goal Wins The Highlight Game

Brazil Vs. Mexico: Lineups

A sold out crowd at Cowboys Stadium is eager to see Mexico and Brazil so at the very least this friendly will have a brilliant atmosphere. It should also have some damn fine play, too, considering the attacking talent of both of the teams.

Brazil is, well Brazil. They seemingly invented style and flair and with Leandro Damiao, Hulk and Neymar in their front three, attacking won't be too much of a problem for them. They will have their chances going forward and could very well put together a highlight reel in this one match alone.

Mexico may not have the pedigree of Brazil, but they have a pretty impressive attacking team of their own. Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez leads the line and with Pablo Barrera, Giovani dos Santos and Andres Guardado underneath him, the Mexicans can do some real damage.

So a sold out crowd, check. Brilliant attacking play, might as well guarantee it.

Mexico: Corona, Rodríguez, Salcido, Severo, Moreno, Torres Nilo, Barrera, dos Santos, Zavala, Guardado, Javier Hernández

Brazil: Rafael, Danilo, Juan, Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Sandro, Rómulo, Óscar, Leandro Damiao, Hulk, Neymar

'Chepo' Jose Manuel de la Torre Still Mulling Mexico's Midfield Options

Jose Manuel de la Torre has done a lot to stabilize the Mexican national team, and a number of young players have improved significantly during his reign. His attacking 4-2-3-1 with Javier Hernandez leading the line presents various matchup problems for most teams going forward. They're good enough that they mask El Tri's problems against average teams, but the hole in Mexico's side might get found out on Saturday against Brazil.

Mexico is currently in the process of figuring out what to do with their center of midfield. Gerardo Torrado, with 135 caps to his name, has been a rock in the middle for over a decade, but his career is coming to an end. Fitness issues plagued his season with Cruz Azul, and at 33-years-old, the time has come to find a replacement for him in the middle. His partner at the Gold Cup and at Cruz Azul, Israel Castro, is now 31 and coming off a poor season as well.

El Tri has plenty of quality -- and young quality at that -- to pick from in the center, but 'Chepo' hasn't been able to settle on anyone. Monterrey pair Jesus Zavala and Jose Ernesto Perez got a run-out against Wales, but Perez is on the wrong side of 30 and an average defensive player. Against Bosnia-Herzegovia, natural fullback Carlos Salcido played in the center while Jose Torres Nilo played left back. In addition to not being an actual midfielder, Salcido is also on the wrong side of 30.

Some of de la Torre's best options for the center of midfield aren't available against Brazil because they're with the Under-23 team, but post-Olympics, he'd do well to bring one or two of those players into the team. Hector Herrera had an excellent Toulon Tournament with the Under-23 side, while Jorge Enriquez has performed very well at Under-20 and Under-23 level, as well as for his club team Chivas. He also has some other talented, but currently out of form (and out of squad) options in Jonathan Dos Santos and David Cabrera.

Jesus Molina is currently with the Mexico squad, but he hasn't gotten a shot at playing with Zavala yet. Zavala, the massive and versatile 24-year-old Monterrey star, seems to be locked into one place in Chepo's midfield of the future. He needs to work on finding the other piece now, before Mexico starts playing competitive matches against good opposition. Molina might not be the answer, but it's time for him to get a three-game run. Perez and Salcido are, without a doubt, not going to be de la Torre's best midfield options going forward.

We'll have updates and live coverage in our Brazil vs. Mexico StoryStream. For more on Mexican football, head over to FMF State Of Mind.

Brazil Vs. Mexico, 2012 International Friendly: Game Time, TV Schedule, Live Updates And More

Brazil and Mexico face off in a tune-up match for the Olympics and CONCACAF World Cup qualifying in front of a packed Cowboys Stadium.

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