Guilermo Ochoa was the hero as Mexico held host Brazil to an entertaining goalless draw in Fortaleza in a Group A match at the ongoing World Cup.

In an evenly contested encounter, Brazil created a number of clearcut chances but resolute defending from Mexico and outstanding goalkeeping from Ochoa kept the hosts at bay.

Neymar was the first to be notably denied by Ochoa, who was at full stretch to keep out the Barcelona forward’s towering header in the first half.

Paulinho then had a snap shot saved by Ochoa later in the first half and the Mexico keeper went on to keep out efforts from Neymar’s half volley and Thiago Silva’s header in the second half.

Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar was called upon in the later stages of the second half, with Hector Herrara and Guardardo coming close for Mexico. Cesar then went down well to keep a well struck effort from substitute Raul Jimenez out as the World Cup recorded only its second goalless match.

The result leaves both nations with four points from two matches, while Croatia and Cameroun will face each other on Wednesday in a match which will see the loser become the first nation to be knocked out of the World Cup.