Hosts Brazil and Mexico went absolutely head-to-head in group A with both teams winning their first matches in the group stage and then going on to draw each other in the second round. They then went on to stamp their authority in the group by winning their last round matches convincingly, with Brazil defeating Cameroon 4-1 and Mexico kicking out Croatia 3-1.
The teams came into the last round with three teams still in with a chance. Cameroon was already out after failing to score any points in the first two matches. But Brazil and Mexico were tied at 4 points each and Croatia was not far behind with 3 points. At the end of the third round of matches, it was status quo with Brazil and Mexico equal with 7 points each. Brazil sits on top based only on goal difference.
Brazil will be facing Group B runners up Chile in the top 16. Meanwhile, Mexico will be facing the Netherlands.
See full Group A results here.
Brazil's Neymar celebrates their win against Cameroon after their 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia, June 23, 2014. REUTERSA dog dressed in the colours of Brazil sits at Copacabana beach during a broadcast of the World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Cameroon in Brasilia, in Rio de Janeiro, June 23, 2014. REUTERSBrazil's Neymar celebrates scoring his second goal against Cameroon during their 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia, June 23, 2014. REUTERSBrazil's Fred (front) celebrates after scoring against Cameroon during their 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia, June 23, 2014. REUTERSCameroon's Joel Matip (L) and goalkeeper Charles Itandje react after conceding a fourth goal during their 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match against Brazil at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia, June 23, 2014. REUTERSA Mexican soccer fan, dressed in a Spiderman costume, jumps from a vehicle as he celebrates Mexico's 2014 World Cup soccer match win over Croatia, in Ciudad Juarez, June 23, 2014. REUTERSMexico's coach Miguel Herrera (R) celebrates the goal of Andres Guardado (not pictured) during their 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match against Croatia at the Pernambuco arena in Recife, June 23, 2014. REUTERSCroatia's Luka Modric (L) and Vedran Corluka (R) react near Mexico's Javier Hernandez after their 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife, June 23, 2014. REUTERSCroatia's Mario Mandzukic (L) and Nikica Jelavic react after losing their 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match against Mexico at the Pernambuco arena in Recife, June 23, 2014. REUTERSMexico's Rafael Marquez (C) celebrates with teammates Paul Aguilar and Javier Hernandez (R) after scoring his team's first goal against Croatia during their 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife, June 23, 2014. REUTERS
