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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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Disability on screen
Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues
24: Legacy — PTSD;
Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound
Taken and This Is Us — cancer
Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)
Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg
Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety
Switched at Birth — deafness
One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
Dragons — double amputee
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
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