Brazil and Chile are taking on each other in the round of 16 encounter on 28 June at the Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg. While Brazil should be happy to get Chile as their opponent in the last 16, Chile has nothing to lose in the match, but has everything to win.
Time
The match kicks off at 18:30 GMT and 20:30 local time. As per Chile time, the match starts at 14:30. According to Brazil time, the match begins at 15:30. In USA, the match begins in New York time at 14:30 and in California time at 11:30.
Live Score
Football fans can get the live score of the match at the following link:
http://www.soccerstand.com/
Brazil is the only team who did not miss any of the World Cup finals and won the World Cup title highest five times. Chile, on the other hand, could not even qualify for the last 2 World Cup finals. Interestingly, Chile faced Brazil at the same stage in their previous World Cup appearance in 1998 when Brazil clinched a 4-1 victory over Chile.
However, it would be wrong for anyone to assume that Brazil would thrash Chile in the same manner on Tuesday. There is a huge difference between the current Brazil squad and the 1998 squad which featured the players like Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo and Bebeto.
Brazil had winning start in the tournament as they defeated North Korea 2-1 in their opening match, before defeating Ivory Coast 3-1, and thus, ensuring their progress to the next round. In the final match, they drew with Portugal 1-1 and ensured their place in the second round as the Group G champion.
Chile also won their first two matches against Honduras and Switzerland, but lost to Spain 2-1 in their last group stage match. They finished second in Group H behind Spain.
The most important thing is that Chile has very good attacking intent. Though they lost to Spain 2-1, they could have won the match unless they did not miss a number of scoring opportunities.
Kaka, Elano and Robinho would come back for the Chile match after missing the match against Portugal on several reasons. Kaka was suspended, while Elano and Robinho were rested for their recovery from injuries. Now, both of them are available for selection in Brazil’s final eleven.
Chile would miss their first choice center backs: Waldo Ponce and Gary Medel, as well as defending midfielder Marco Estrada due to suspension. Coach Marcelo Bielsa would have to deal with it. Finding their replacement would be very hard for the Argentine.
Isla and Contreras would most probably be deployed at the center of the defense, while Carmona could deputize for Estrada at the holding midfielder.
However, Chilean forward line up is pretty much strong in the presence of Sánchez, Beausejour and Valdivia.
Chile’s defensive problems would be luring for the Brazilians who would like to capitalize on that. However, Brazil would miss the service of influential central midfielder Felipe Melo who suffered an injury in their previous match against Portugal. Josué could replace Melo in the starting line up against Chile.
Brazil First XI (Probable)
Júlio César, Maicon, Lúcio, Juan, Michel Bastos, Gilberto Silva, Elano, Josue, Kaká, Robinho, Luís Fabiano
Chile First XI (Probable)
Claudio Bravo, Pablo Contreras, Ismael Fuentes, Mauricio Isla, Gonzalo Jara, Carlos Carmona, Arturo Vidal, Matías Fernández, Alexis Sánchez, Jean Beausejour, Jorge Valdivia
Brazil is clearly favorite considering the squad strength as well as Chile’s lack of quality options in their defense. However, Chiles’s attacking line up poses enough threat for Brazil’s back line. So, there is every possibility it could be an entertaining match for the football fans.
Brazil is favorite one team ...I cheer only for Brazil...
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