This was not in the script, even for a Brazil side that ranks among the more pragmatic of those privileged to have donned the famous yellow shirt.
But for the fact Brazil were playing in a home World Cup, with the attendant attention and commensurate noise, it could be called low key.
Certainly Brazil's performance was underwhelming and unimpressive. The ultimate winners, if a stalemate can be said to have any, were Mexico, who were the more accomplished side for long periods of the scoreless draw.
They required a play-off to qualify for the World Cup. Now they are well-positioned to reach the last-16 and, should they avoid defeat against Croatia on Monday, they ought to be in the knockout stages.
So should Brazil, but this was hardly the performance of potential champions.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's side were flat, delivering a dull display that suggests they rely too much on Neymar. The budding Pele was alone in offering the promise of a Brazilian goal, but he met his match in Guillermo Ochoa.
The Mexican goalkeeper won their personal battle. Indeed, he did so in a style that drew comparisons with another shot-stopper who prospered against Brazil.
Gordon Banks's 1970 save against Pele is often deemed the best in World Cup history, and if not quite as remarkable, there were similarities when Ochoa plunged to his right to keep out Neymar's header following a cross from his Barcelona teammate, Dani Alves.
Ochoa was defiant again when he blocked Neymar's hooked shot, and when the No 10 turned provider, he was similarly excellent.
Neymar's well-worked free kick was chested on by Thiago Silva, the centre-back showing a lovely cushioned touch, for Paulinho, but the alert Ochoa was quick to deny the midfielder.
His fourth fine save again involved the national icon and the Brazil captain. Thiago Silva met Neymar's free-kick with a thumping header. Ochoa made a marvellous reaction stop.
In between his quartet of stops, however, the concern for Brazil should be that they did not fashion enough opportunities. Marcelo is among the better attacking left-backs in the tournament and Bernard brought sparks of optimism during his cameo, but the Brazilian midfield struggled to create.
Brazil's worst performer of the World Cup is the man employed to score.
The burden on Neymar increases every time the striker struggles and, after an undistinguished display against Croatia, when his only notable contribution was to procure a penalty with a dive, Fred spent much of his match offside.
He directed a tame header at Ochoa, but he rarely threatened to break his duck for the tournament and was duly replaced by Jo; it was a change that should be doubly depressing for Brazil.
Brazil missed the injured Hulk and the raft of ageing, underachieving-but-talented flair players, such as Ronaldinho, Robinho and Kaka, who failed to make the squad. It was little wonder Mexico felt they could double up on Neymar.
As well as their three centre-backs played, the authoritative veteran Rafael Marquez in particular, they were not just concentrating on defence.
Mexico's ambition was reflected in their shoot-on-sight policy.
Hector Herrera tried his luck twice, bringing a flying save from Julio Cesar – if not the corner that should have been awarded – and seeing another effort go over without any touch from the goalkeeper.
Their threat from distance was apparent again when Jose Juan Vazquez twice took aim from long range. His first effort went narrowly wide. His second just cleared the bar. Andres Guardado, too, looked for a winner.
From unprepossessing circumstances, a side has taken shape during Miguel Herrera's brief reign.
Brazil, stolid and stodgy, need to raise their game. The emotion of hosting a World Cup was apparent when Neymar cried during the national anthems, but while there were highlights in his newly blond hair, there were precious few for Brazil in the match.
Ochoa's saves, however, will live long in the memory for Mexico.
sports@thenational.ae
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Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
CABINET%20OF%20CURIOSITIES%20EPISODE%201%3A%20LOT%2036
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.3-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E299hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E420Nm%20at%202%2C750rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E12.4L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh157%2C395%20(XLS)%3B%20Dh199%2C395%20(Limited)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India 1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.9-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E536hp%20(including%20138hp%20e-motor)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E750Nm%20(including%20400Nm%20e-motor)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C380%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Scores
Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool
Arsenal 1-0 Huddersfield Town
Burnley 1-0 Brighton
Manchester United 4-1 Fulham
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace
Saturday fixtures:
Chelsea v Manchester City, 9.30pm (UAE)
Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur, 11.45pm (UAE)
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
