Brazil v Chile
Saturday June 28, 2014 – Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte (18:00)
Host nation Brazil take on familiar foes in Chile having met each other twice in friendly matches since the return of Luiz Felipe Scolari for a second spell as coach. In April last year the sides drew 2-2 at the Mineriao in Belo Horizonte, the same stadium where they will meet on Saturday, with Neymar scoring one of Brazil’s goals that day. Then, last November, Brazil emerged 2-1 winners in a friendly played in Canada, with Hulk and Robinho scoring either side of an Eduardo Vargas goal for the Chileans. Those results indicate that this encounter will be a tough one to call, especially with Chile having impressed in qualifying from their group ahead of 2010 world champions Spain. And Chile will be eager to get revenge for defeats suffered at the hands of Brazil in the last 16 in each of their last two appearances at the World Cup. In 1998, Brazil won 4-1 in Paris, while in 2010 they triumphed 3-0 in Johannesburg.
Brazil finished top of Group A after an ultimately comfortable 4-1 win over Cameroon that sent the hosts through to face Chile in the last 16. The sparkling performance meant Brazil went some way to dispelling doubts about their title credentials following last week’s goalless draw with Mexico. The main positive point wasn’t just the result but the way the team played, getting back the spirit that they had in last year’s Confederations Cup. The 2014 Brazil team may not quite be a one-man show, but Neymar, with four goals in three World Cup games, is without doubt the ringmaster of this Selecao circus act. There has been huge pressure on the shoulders of the Brazil forward right from the outset of the tournament. So much so, in fact, that even national legend Pele wondered just how the youngster would be able to cope under such an intense spotlight. However, so far, the FC Barcelona star has appeared to thrive on the responsibility of having to be the man to guide his country on home soil this summer in pursuit of what would be a sixth World Cup win for Brazil. Neymar has now scored eight times in his last six matches for his country and will be Chile’s biggest concern. Scolari is likely to remain loyal to Fred, the under-fire striker who broke his World Cup scoring duck with Brazil’s third goal against Cameroon, but Fernandinho made a compelling case for inclusion in the starting line-up after his fine performance as a substitute. The Manchester City midfielder, replaced the ineffective Paulinho in the 46th minute and had a part in Fred’s goal before completing the scoring late on.
Chile failed to claim top spot in Group B as the Netherlands beat them 2-0 at Sao Paulo’s Arena Corinthians, but their place in the knock-out stage was already secure regardless of the result after wins over Australia and Spain. In spite of the fact that Chile didn’t get a result, they have their heads held high and will be getting ready for the round of 16 against the tournament favourites and host nation. Vargas has looked very bright in Chile’s matches, working in tandem with Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez. The Napoli man who spent last season on loan at Valencia has put several clubs across Europe on alert with his fine showing in Brazil. Sanchez is the go-to guy for his country and has taken on the most stubborn of defences in national team colours. He remains one of the key figures for his side as he scores and assists with equal vigour and could be a nuisance to David Luiz and Thiago Silva.
Both sides possess strong forward players and the battle for supremacy will be fascinating. The Brazilians have home advantage which could prove crucial especially when looking at Chile’s away record during qualifiers. In eight travels, Chile only managed three victories, losing four times, conceding four goals in both Argentina and Uruguay. Neymar hasn’t failed to impress and will be spurred on by the many Brazilian supporters to lead the Samba Boys to another victory. Brazil are tipped at 13/20.
Predicted Line-ups:
Brazil (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Cesar; Alves, Luiz, Silva, Marcelo; Fernandinho, Gustavo, Neymar, Oscar, Hulk; Fred.
Chile (Possible, 3-4-1-2): Bravo; Medel, Jara, Silva; Isla, Aranguiz, Diaz; Valdivia; Vidal; Vargas, Sanchez.
