They waited until almost the final minute to make sure of it, but Brazil justifiably advanced to the quarter finals of the World Cup with a 2-0 triumph over true tricolor triers Mexico.
Both goals were scored from about one metre from the goal line, but both came after long runs and clever passes.
Even the staunchest Mexican fan will conceded Brazil were by far the better team on the day, despite the fact the losers had had plenty of chances – most of which failed for the want of a good finish.
It was a foregone conclusion that Neymar would have an impact, and he did.
The man whose shins must look like corrugated iron as a result of being the most fouled player in the tournament showed his predator’s instinct when he slid home a Willian shot in the 51st minute after a goalless first stanza.
Willian was the star of the show, like an Energiser bunny on steroids as he carved his way across the midfield and led the samba dance.
In fact, it was only the unbelievable heroics of Guillermo Ochoa in the Mexican goals that was keeping the Brazilians from racking up a high score.
Ochoa continued his superb form in the tournament, where he had made the most saves of any number one.
Mexico played their part in a terrifically entertaining match but in reality never looked like doing the job against a resolute and often under-rated defence.
The yellow shirts were here, there and everywhere, and when Mexico did shoot, the ball inevitably struck one of the forest of goal guardians.
Naturally, Neymar would be involved in the second and conclusive score.
Having just gone down when his ankle was trod on and his shrieks and gestures made it sound and look like a double amputation, he made the kind of recovery normally associated with Lourdes.
He latched onto a counter attack, sprinted like the ball was tied to his laces, looked up and slid it past Ochoa for Gabriel Firmino – who had been on the field for barely a minute – to tap it home.
It looks like Brazil are peaking at the right time – an ominous sign for the rest of the tournament.
