Brazil at ease with favourites tag as Willian steps into the limelight | Nick Ames

A sixth World Cup looks well within reach for a side that are not over reliant on their star names, with the Chelsea midfielder stepping up in the second half to help demoralise Mexico

From the seleção, a selection box of treats. While their rivals falter, beset by rusting parts and in some cases complete mechanical failure, Brazil roll on and their claim to a sixth World Cup now looks more persuasive than at any point in the past four years. The strut of champions-elect is returning and, as players and staff piled on after Roberto Firmino’s far-post tap-in, it did not take an outrageous leap to envisage similar scenes unfolding 13 days down the line when this often bewildering summer party finally winds down.

Related: Neymar and Firmino take Brazil past Mexico and into World Cup last eight

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