All-South American battle awaits Brazil, Chile
Brazil know that their outstanding past record against Chile will count for nothing when the sides meet in an all-South American World Cup last-16 tie at the Mineirao in Belo Horizonte on Saturday.
The tournament hosts have lost just eight of 68 previous meetings with Chile, and have emerged triumphant in all three past encounters in the World Cup, scoring 11 goals in the process.
That run includes a comfortable 3-0 win against Marcelo Bielsa’s Chile side at the same stage of the 2010 finals in South Africa, but midfielder Willian insists that Brazilian fans should not automatically expect a repeat performance.
“Football nowadays has changed so much,” said the Chelsea player. “Of course Brazil have beaten Chile a few times before, which is good. But we must not think about this. Every game has its own story. I am sure that Chile will be motivated and confident too.”
Brazil have yet to live up to the high expectations surrounding them at these finals despite collecting seven points from a possible nine in the group stage.
In contrast, Chile have impressed, notably in sending the holders Spain packing from the competition with a 2-0 win at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
Only a 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands in their final Group B match on Monday condemned them to second place and another meeting with Brazil.
However, the current side, coached by Argentine Jorge Sampaoli, are confident that they can capitalise on the enormous weight of pressure on Brazil and upset the odds.
“If I thought we were going to lose, I would go back to my room, collect my things and go home,” said Sanchez, who will come up against his Barcelona club colleagues Daniel Alves and Neymar.
“We have respect for them, but I think we are going to beat them. We came to this World Cup to make history.”
Shorn of Suarez, Uruguay brace for Colombia
Rocked by the Luis Suarez biting affair, Uruguay will attempt to make light of their star player’s absence when they tackle Colombia in the World Cup’s last 16 on Saturday.
The affair has distracted attention from Uruguay’s return to the Maracana, scene of their seismic win over Brazil in the decisive game of the last Brazilian World Cup in 1950.
Come kick-off in Rio de Janeiro, Uruguay and Colombia will also know whether it is Brazil or Chile who await them in the quarter-finals in Fortaleza on July 4.
In Suarez’s absence, veteran Diego Forlan is expected to come into Uruguay’s frontline alongside Edinson Cavani.
Speaking before Suarez’s punishment was announced, Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez played down the likely impact of the 27-year-old’s absence against Colombia.
“If one player is suspended, another one will play,” he said.
“We’ve already played lots of matches without Suarez. We’ve won some, and we’ve lost some, and he wasn’t there against Costa Rica either.”
Colombia, meanwhile, are bidding to make history by reaching the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2014.
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