Brazil are in FIFA World Cup action as they take on South Korea in the Round of 16 on Monday evening.
The South Americans have reached the quarter-finals (or beyond) at each of the last seven World Cup tournaments and they are expected to maintain that run when they meet South Korea at Stadium 974.
The Samba Kings are expected to welcome back the vast majority of its preferred starting XI, after head coach Tite made as many as nine changes for their final group game versus Cameroon.
Neymar is back in contention after overcoming an ankle injury he sustained in Brazil’s World Cup opener against Serbia. Right-back Danilo also returns to the fray after he also took a knock to the ankle earlier in the the tournament.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Despite the outstanding depth within the Brazilian squad, the pre-tournament favourites have sustained multiple injury blows to high-profile players since the start of the finals two weeks ago. The Seleção are two players down as Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles have been ruled out of Qatar 2022, both through knee injuries.
Club teammates Richarlison and Heung-min Son go head-to-head with the Tottenham attackers set to be in opposing changing rooms at Stadium 974. The Brazilian forward has scored two goals in Qatar while his South Korean counterpart is yet to open his account in the Middle East.
South Korea are prepared for a third appearance in the knockouts, and their first since 2010. After four consecutive exits at the first round, the Tigers of Asia first advanced from the groups in 2002 when they co-hosted the tournament with Japan, in what was the first World Cup staged on the Asian continent.
Brazil and South Korea have shared a pitch seven times before, though never in a competitive fixture. All of their previous meetings were friendlies, most recently in June this year as the top-ranked nation in the world stormed to a 5-1 victory in Seoul.
It was reported over the weekend that Brazil legend Pelé, the only player to win the World Cup three times, had been moved to end-of-life care following a battle with cancer.
Although it might be playing on their minds, the current group may use Pele’s ill health as extra motivation to go all the way and celebrate Brazil’s sixth World Cup triumph. Neymar is two goals shy of Pelé’s record of 77 goals for Brazil.
On paper, Brazil seem to have a somewhat easier route to the semi-finals relative to other teams. Should they overcame the South Koreans, the five-time World Cup winners would meet Japan in the quarters.
Brazil are 1.25 favourites to win in regular time and advance to the quarter-finals at an eighth successive World Cup. South Korea are priced 11.00 to overcome the South Americans; 6.00 for a draw and for the tie to be decided in extra-time or penalties. (Bet365)
