World Cup: Brazil ripe for an upset by Chile in round of 16
Yank off the team insignias from the jerseys to hide their identities and Brazil versus Chile might be considered a toss-up based on each team’s body of work at the World Cup.
The Chileans knifed through their first two foes, notably defending champion Spain, before getting knocked down a peg by the Dutch juggernaut in a 2-0 defeat.
The Brazilians, though 2-0-1, have seemed bogged down by the weight of expectations. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari’s public fretting about their match with Chile that christens the round of 16 Saturday is no act.
That Brazil is a massive favorite can be attributed more to its home-nation advantage and history than to the squads’ performances.
The advantages that accompany the host team are lessened somewhat for this game by geography. Chile is nearly Brazil’s neighbor, so the effect of climate and weather apply equally to both sides.
The biggest hurdle for the Chileans: For them to win, they must believe so. Since falling to Chile in a Cup qualifier 14 years ago, Brazil is 10-0-2 in the series, which includes three friendlies.
Chile’s roster contains four players who have engaged in Brazil’s pro leagues. It will restore midfielder Arturo “King Arthur” Vidal, whose knee injury shelved him for the loss to the Netherlands, back to the lineup.
Conditions are ripe for an upset, provided Chile is not cowed at the sight of its opponent’s yellow and green shirts with the distinctive sewn-in badge above an imposing word: Brasil.
