Flashy Brazil relying on balance at the World Cup
SAMARA, Russia (AP) - While the 焦点（を合わせる） is on Neymar's flashy 得点する／非難する／２０ing ability and his other antics in Russia, Brazil's 安定した progression at the World Cup has solidified the team's status の中で the favorites left in the tournament.
Nemesis Germany is gone. So are Lionel Messi and Argentina. Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are out.
But for Brazil, the word favorite - "favorito" in Portuguese - is タブー.
Brazil's Neymar, 最高の，を越す, celebrates with team mate Paulinho after 得点する／非難する／２０ing his 味方する's 開始 goal during the 一連の会議、交渉／完成する of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at the 2018 サッカー World Cup in the Samara 円形競技場, in Samara, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
"We feel 確信して but not like the favorites because we know that there are other 質 teams that have 広大な／多数の／重要な 可能性のある. The えこひいき comes from the 圧力（をかける） and the fans," winger Willian said. "We want to remain 会社／堅い in our goal, which is to move step by step and reach the final."
The five-time World Cup 支持する／優勝者s opened the ノックアウト 一連の会議、交渉／完成する on Monday night by 敗北・負かすing Mexico 2-0 for their third straight shutout in Russia. Neymar 得点する／非難する／２０d his second goal of the tournament in the 51st minute, and 代用品，人 Roberto Firmino 得点する／非難する／２０d in the 88th in Samara.
Neymar again grabbed attention for his theatrics after he 絡まるd up with Mexico's Miguel Layun, who stepped on the Paris Sain t-Germain 星／主役にする's 権利 ankle. Neymar writhed on the field in 明らかな agony before popping 支援する up and finishing the match.
Brazil goes on to 直面する Belgium in the 準々決勝 on Friday in Kazan. The ベルギーs are coming off a 3-2 復帰 勝利，勝つ against Japan in Rostov-on-Don.
Brazil was 階級d second by FIFA upon arrival in Russia, but the team opened with a lackluster 1-1 draw against Switzerland. Since then, Brazil hasn't 譲歩するd a goal, winning three 連続する games 2-0.
Neymar, who had been 回復するing in previous months from a broken foot, gave the world-class 業績／成果 that everyone hoped for on Monday. He has two goals and an 補助装置 in the tournament, giving him six career World Cup goals.
Other players have risen to the occasion, too. In the group 行う／開催する／段階, Philippe Coutinho had two goals and an 補助装置 and earned Man of the Match 栄誉（を受ける）s twice. Against Mexico, it was Willian who showed flashes of brilliance.
Additionally, the 弁護 has been 安定した throughout, 錨，総合司会者d by captain Thiago Silva and goalkeeper Alisson. The only other team remaining that has 譲歩するd just one goal is Uruguay.
Brazil has 許すd just five 発射s on 的 at this World Cup, fewest of any team.
"It's a 抱擁する joy to be doing an excellent cup and to be growing with every game," Silva said. "I hope that in the next game of 準々決勝, we can even be better 用意が出来ている because with the victories the 信用 automatically grows."
Defender Miranda echoed that 感情: "We're growing in the tournament. We hope to continue this way. We need to grow even more."
Coach Tite has put an 強調 on balance since the South American qualifiers, and Brazil was the first team to earn its way to Russia. Brazil has yet to lose in eight matches this year.
Of course, the ultimate goal is to erase some of the 失望 of the last World Cup, when Brazil was embarrassed on home 国／地域 by Germany in a 7-1 semifinal loss.
"People have asked us a lot about Germany. I don't thin k we should worry about Germany and about what happened. サッカー is to play it, not to speak about it," Silva said. "We no longer need to 焦点（を合わせる） on Germany because we don't have a way to change that story. We only need to think ahead now, game by game, and 掴む our 適切な時期s."
Perhaps that approach will give Brazil a sixth 星／主役にする over its crest.
"I hope. I hope," Willian said about a sixth 肩書を与える. "It's going to be difficult. And like I said before, we have to continue this way, work hard and continue to 改善する ourselves."
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Brazil's Neymar celebrates after 得点する／非難する／２０ing his 味方する's 開始 goal during the 一連の会議、交渉／完成する of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at the 2018 サッカー World Cup in the Samara 円形競技場, in Samara, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Brazil's players celebrate at the end of the 一連の会議、交渉／完成する of 16 match between Brazil an d Mexico at the 2018 サッカー World Cup in the Samara 円形競技場, in Samara, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Brazil's Neymar celebrates （警官の）巡回区域，受持ち区域ing Mexico 2-1 during a 一連の会議、交渉／完成する of 16 match at the 2018 サッカー World Cup in the Samara 円形競技場, in Samara, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Brazil's Roberto Firmino celebrates after 得点する／非難する／２０ing his 味方する's second goal during the 一連の会議、交渉／完成する of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at the 2018 サッカー World Cup in the Samara 円形競技場, in Samara, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
