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Goalkeepers day out in World Cup: Mexico's Ochoa hero, Russia's Akinfeev villain
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa produced a heroic performance in a 0-0 draw with Brazil and his Russian counterpart Igor Akinfeev was the villain in a 1-1 draw with South Korea as the World Cup produced more drama on Tuesday.
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Ochoa produced four world class saves to deny Paulinho, Neymar (twice) and Thiago Silva when they seemed certain to score in an intense, end-to-end match in tropical Fortaleza which left both teams with four points from two games in Group A.
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Goalkeepers day out in World Cup: Ochoa hero, Akinfeev villain
Silva thought he had won the game in the closing minutes with a powerful header only to see his effort parried at point blank range by the Mexican keeper.
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Despite the scoreline, the match was anything but dull and the Mexicans enjoyed long periods of possession, bravely taking the game to the hosts in the second half.
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Goalkeepers day out in World Cup: Ochoa hero, Akinfeev villain
"I believe this was the best match of my life because this was a World Cup game and this is very important," said Ochoa.
"I don't know whether I can think of another goalkeeper in memory...someone who has done what Memo (Ochoa) did today," Mexico coach Miguel Herrera told a news conference.
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Goalkeepers day out in World Cup: Ochoa hero, Akinfeev villain
While Ochoa kept Brazil at bay, the hapless Akinfeev was left to bury his head in his hands after he allowed Lee Keun-ho's straightforward shot from 25 metres to slip through his grasp.
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In the Group H clash in Cuiaba, Akinfeev's blushes on 68 minutes were spared when veteran Alexander Kerzhakov pounced to equalise for Russia after more scrappy goalkeeping by Jung Sung-ryong six minutes later.