Brazil set for hot Chile test
BY Agencies28 Jun 2014 12:06 AM GMT
Agencies28 Jun 2014 12:06 AM GMT
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. 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,’ said the Chelsea player.
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.
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. 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,’ said the Chelsea player.
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.
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