Brazil-Chile preview | World Cup 2010

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Brazil will be vying to beat Chile for the third time in three FIFA World Cup™ meetings, with the prize on offer a place in the quarter-finals. Whoever they are facing, the five-time champions come under pressure to win every match with unrivalled swagger.

That is the price they pay for starting each tournament as favourites, the burden of their success down the years, yet they can expect stiff opposition from South American rivals who have been in fine form since Marcelo Bielsa took over at the helm. Add in the carrot of a coveted berth in the last eight and all the ingredients are present for an open yet fiery encounter, not least since Chile lost 4-2 and 3-0 to Dunga’s charges in qualifying and will be desperate to turn the tables.

The match
Brazil-Chile, Round of 16, Ellis Park, Johannesburg, 28 June, 20.30 (local time)

A Seleção found life difficult against group-stage opponents Korea DPR and Portugal, struggling to find a way through a sturdy defensive barrier on both occasions. Despite dominating possession, Brazil had trouble picking out their forwards in dangerous positions and endured plenty of frustration. That is not a problem they are likely to find repeated against Chile, however, as Bielsa’s flamboyant side are unlikely to settle for cautious counter-attacking football.

Still, La Roja will need to keep things tight at the back. With the likes of Robinho, Kaka and Luis Fabiano sniffing out openings, Chile will require levels of commitment and organisation similar to those they displayed against Spain, when even down to ten men they managed to keep the European champions at bay – save for the two mistakes that cost them goals. They will nonetheless have to cope without Marco Estrada, sent off against Spain, and suspended duo Waldo Ponce and Gary Medel, while Brazil could be deprived the services of injured pair Felipe Melo and Julio Baptista.

Players to watch
Kaka (BRA) v Jorge Valdivia (CHI)

The Brazil playmaker remains an idol at Sao Paulo, where he first rose to prominence before setting sail for AC Milan, while his Chilean counterpart was an iconic figure for O Tricolor Paulista's regional rivals Palmeiras, firing 24 goals in 93 appearances between 2006 and 2008. Despite those contrasting club allegiances, the two players perform a similar function on the pitch and how they fare could well prove key to this game. Their vision, the quality of their passing and their set-piece pedigree could all potentially make the difference at either end, with neither defence noted for being porous or naive.

The stat
2 – Brazil and Chile have crossed paths on two previous occasions at this level, in the semi-finals at Chile 1962 and in the Round of 16 at France 1998. A Canarinho prevailed in both games, scoring four goals each time to triumph 4-2 and 4-1 – an omen, perhaps, for a feast of attacking football at Ellis Park Stadium.

What they said
"We’re going to need to learn to play against defensive sides as I think very few teams will want to play Brazil at our own game. A Seleção must start finding solutions to get around this problem, because from now on every match will be decisive,” Luis Fabiano, Brazil forward.

"Brazil have proved down the years that they’re a team to be feared, but in this World Cup they’ve also shown that in addition to their usual creative style they now boast combativeness and strength,” Marcelo Bielsa, Chile coach.

Voice of the fans
"It will be very difficult and we won’t have our two defenders Medel and Ponce (listed as the two best players at the World Cup by the Castrol Index). There ought to be a change with Suazo back in the side and he scored two goals against Brazil in qualifying. But Brazil will always be Brazil. May the best team win,” FIFA.com user Darilx (France).

The question
Chile have not overcome Brazil since a friendly in 1993, failing to carve out victory in their last 13 meetings. Will La Roja finally be able to end that run on the grandest stage of all?

World Cup Preview: Brazil - Chile | World Cup 2010

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The South American sides at the World Cup have been much lauded because of their consistent progression in the tournament, and the two sides who finished top of the continent’s qualifying table, Brazil and Chile, will play off for a spot in the quarter-finals on Monday.

These sides play in contrasting styles, but somewhat surprisingly it’s the Brazilians who turn out in a cautious manner, largely looking to counter-attack their opponents rather than impose their own skills on the game from the outset. As a result, coach Dunga has been the subject of criticism, but the Selecao’s progress to the last 16 cannot be quibbled about.

After winning their CONMEBOL qualifying section, losing fewer games than any other side (though winning less than Chile), this pragmatic Brazilian outfit began their World Cup campaign proper with a workmanlike 2-1 success over little fancied North Korea. A far more impressive success over Cote d’Ivoire followed, before a scoreless draw against Portugal in an encounter that promised more.

Despite disappointing fans with their lack of flair, there can be little doubt that the all-round play of the Brazilians has been some of the most impressive in the tournament thus far. The comfortable manner in which they dispatched the Elephants was a real warning shot to their opponents as it was the only time they’ve really needed to get into top gear so far.

A whole new phase of the competition now begins, and Brazil’s pragmatic approach would appear ideally suited to knockout football, though Monday’s opponents have proven slippery customers thus far and should be closely policed.

Innovative And Exciting

If Brazil have been rather dull, Chile have brought undoubted colour to the competition. It’s not just the red shirts worn by the South American nation that have excited pundits. Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa has his side playing slick, attacking football in an innovative 3-3-1-3 formation that has proven a breath of fresh air in what has been a rather stodgy tournament at times.

Incredibly, la Roja are somewhat fortuitously at this stage. After defeating Honduras and Switzerland in their opening two matches, it seemed that Chile would need at least a point against Spain in their final group encounter to progress, simply because the Swiss had already shocked their fellow Europeans. Bielsa’s side matched la Furia Roja impressively, playing much of the match with 10 men, yet went down 2-1. This proved sufficient as Switzerland failed to break down Honduras, stranding them on four points.

Chile’s extra life will see them line up against Brazil, a side they have a dreadful record against historically. In 65 previous meetings against the Selecao, the Chileans have recorded just seven successes, scoring nearly 100 goals less than their more illustrious opponents during those fixtures.

Bielsa’s side will not fear their South American cousins, though two heavy qualifying defeats certainly give them food for thought. In Santiago, Luis Fabiano scored a brace to help Brazil to a 3-0 victory, and in the return leg Nilmar scored a hat-trick in a 4-2 Selecao rout.

“We know we’re making the people in Chile happy with what we’re doing here,” Rodrigo Millar told the press after the Spain clash. Any further progress will leave the inhabitants of the South American nation positively ecstatic, and it would also be a blow for those who favour exciting attacking football over a more cautious approach.FORM GUIDE

Brazil

DREW 0-0 (n) Portugal (World Cup, June 25)

WON 3-1 (n) Cote d'Ivoire (World Cup, June 21)

WON 2-1 (n) North Korea (World Cup, June 15)

WON 5-1 (a) Tanzania (Friendly, June 7)

WON 3-0 (a) Zimbabwe (Friendly, June 2)

Chile

LOST 2-1 (n) Spain (World Cup, June 25)

WON 1-0 (n) Switzerland (World Cup, June 21)

WON 1-0 (n) Honduras (World Cup, June 16)

WON 3-0 (h) Israel (Friendly, June 30)

WON 1-0 (h) Northern Ireland (Friendly, June 30)

TEAM NEWS

Brazil

Dunga will welcome Kaka back into the fold after he was suspended for the Portugal encounter due to his dismissal in the clash against Cote d’Ivoire. It is also anticipated that Elano will be fit enough to take up a station in the starting XI once again. Robinho will surely be drafted back into the team too.

Probable Starting XI: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Michel Bastos; Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo; Elano, Kaka, Robinho; Luis Fabiano

Chile

Suspension problems will hit Chile hard in this encounter. Gary Medel, nicknamed ‘Pitbull’, was shown his second yellow card of the tournament against Spain and is therefore ruled out of this encounter. Waldo Ponce is in a similar position. Finally, Marco Estrada was dismissed against Spain and is the third player banned.

Top striker Humberto Suazo was injured towards the tail end of last season and has managed only 45 minutes of football at the World Cup, adding to Marcelo Bielsa’s problems. If he is fit, he may well be deemed worthy of the gamble.

Probable Starting XI: Bravo; Jara, Ponce, Medel; Vidal, Carmona, Isla; Fernandez; Sanchez, Suazo, Beausejour

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brazil

Lucio has been one of Brazil’s star players thus far, perhaps saying something about the set-up of the Selecao that a centre-back has shone quite so brightly for them of late. Nevertheless, the Inter man has been a rock, though Chile bring a completely new style of attacking football to the table. It will be interesting to see how Dunga’s side cope.

Chile

Alexis Sanchez has caught the eye in every match the Chileans have played to date in the tournament, displaying just why so many top European teams are after him. With the defence depleted, Chile may well feel that their best hope to win this game is to attack effectively, and the Udinese ace will provide them with plenty of trickery in the advanced areas.

PREDICTION

The Castrol World Cup Match Predictor gives Brazil a 78 per cent chance of winning this tie, but that would seem to weigh a little too heavily on the Selecao as Chile have shown themselves to be capable of meeting the best head on. While this is by no means a coin flip as to who progresses, la Roja are certainly capable of worrying their grander neighbours. Chile looked a little nervous against Spain at times, and they will have to get over that stage fright if they are to seriously challenge in this match. This, combined with their selection problems, could mean a difficult evening for la Roja.

Spain and Chile through, Switzerland and Honduras out | World Cup 2010

Nobody will really be surprised with the end result tonight. Chile and Spain were the clear favourites at the start of the day to go through from this group and that is exactly what happened.

There was a chance for Switzerland. Had they won they would have gone level on points with Chile and Spain and it would have come down to goal difference, but they didn't. Instead, they drew 0-0 with Honduras while Spain beat Chile 2-1.

So, Switzerland and Honduras can go home and Spain get to meet Portugal in the last sixteen while Chile get Brazil - two matches you have to make time for.

Spain didn't cruise to victory and I am probably looking for this more than anything, but they looked like they had another gear if they needed it. Chile were industrious but I fear they will struggle against Brazil.

Honduras picked up their first point of the World Cup and it was a deserved one while Switzerland ultimately disappointed in their match - despite having a few chances.

Overall, a good group stage to the World Cup - but now it gets a little more exciting. I can't wait.

Spain edge Chile, both go through | World Cup 2010

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Spain edge Chile, both go through | World Cup 2010

Spain beat ten-man Chile 2-1 to finish top of Group H and book a Round of 16 meeting with Portugal, while their opponents' courageous display was rewarded with a date with Brazil.

Goals from David Villa and Andres Iniesta, coupled with Marco Estrada's dismissal, appeared to give the European champions an impregnable lead at the break, but Rodrigo Millar's deflected strike got the South Americans back into a game they were desperate to win to guarantee a place in the knockout phase. As it transpired, Switzerland's inability to beat Honduras ensured Marcelo Bielsa's side advanced – something the Chilean players discovered, to their immense relief, after their faces had been pictures of desperation upon the final whistle in Tshwane/Pretoria.

A capacity crowd at Loftus Versfeld Stadium anticipated a beguiling duel between two footballing sides, whose players swiftly began satisfying those expectations. Chile's Alexis Sanchez drew gasps from the spectators with an eye-catching drag-back, while Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta served notice of his return to fitness and form by nonchalantly side-stepping two opponents and freeing Villa.

The contest's first chance fell to Fernando Torres, who raced in behind the Chile defence but, under pressure inside the area, blazed over. A better one then fell to Mark Gonzalez. Jean Beausejour squared the ball across goal and, although it was marginally behind the 25-year-old winger, he will have been disappointed at his failure to get a decent connection on a close-range shot.

Chile continued to push the pace until the 24th minute. That was when the Europeans took the lead. And that was when Villa became the first Spaniard to reach ten goals in major international competitions. Xabi Alonso started the move, robbing Jorge Valdivia of possession and launching the ball forward. Torres gave chase, outstripping the last Chilean defender and forcing Claudio Bravo to race from his line and, while sliding, divert the ball away from the Liverpool striker's path. Unfortunately for the Real Sociedad goalkeeper, his clearance dropped into the path of another clinical Spaniard and Villa, from 40 yards, duly curled the ball into the unguarded net.

Thirteen minutes later, Spain moved into a two-goal lead. Alonso carried the ball through the midfield and fed Villa, who broke into the area and, after drawing two opponents to him, cut the ball back for Iniesta to effortlessly pass it into the bottom-left corner of Bravo's goal. The referee, Marco Rodriguez, then red-carded Estrada, who had tripped Torres as he was galloping into the penalty area seconds before the goal.

Logic said that it was curtains for Chile. Bielsa, their indomitable coach, said otherwise. He remodelled his tactics, electing to attack through the centre rather than from the wings, introducing Millar and Esteban Paredes for Valdivia and Gonzalez in an adventurous double substitution. It immediately reaped dividends. Two minutes after the restart, Millar's shot deflected off Gerard Pique and looped over goalkeeper Iker Casillas and into his net.

Thereafter, however, Chile struggled to unravel their opponents' tactics and, when they did, Parades wasted half-chances. Villa fluffed better ones, his touch deserting him twice in quick succession around the hour mark. Vicente del Bosque's side then intelligently played possession football. Gradually, they exhausted their adversaries, who were already a man down. Bielsa bellowed instructions from the touchline, but Spain's impeccable ball retention left the Chileans unable to execute their coach’s orders.

There were looks of relief and delight from the Spaniards upon the final whistle. There were ones of uncertainty from the Chileans. That was until they heard the news: they were through to the Round of 16.