Brazil striker Fred has claimed that the hosts were fully prepared for a difficult test before being held to a goalless draw by Mexico on Tuesday night.

The 30-year-old believes that the way Mexico played in a losing cause against them in the Confederations Cup last year made it clear would be a tough night, and he was eager to praise opposition goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa for his performance.

"We were already expecting this level of difficulty because in the Confederations Cup we only scored the second goal in the end," Fred told reporters.

"It was a very tough and open game. But today it was even more open, with chances for both teams and I must congratulate their goalkeeper, who made at least four miraculous saves."

Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari conceded that a draw was fair when speaking to the media after the game.

Written by
Callum Mulvihill