Chile prepare to face Brazil in last 16 – again!
Even before the World Cup started, you might have guessed that Chile would end up playing Brazil in the last 16.
Chile’s last two World Cup appearances, in 1998 and 2010, ended exactly the same way. The omens aren’t good because Chile lost 4-1 in France and 3-0 in South Africa four years ago.
La Roja also met Brazil on home soil in the semi-finals in 1962. On that occasion, Brazil triumphed 4-2.
It gives you some indication as to how difficult it’s going to be for Chile to beat the five-time world champions in their own backyard.
It could have been avoided if Chile had won Group B, but today’s 2-0 defeat against Holland put paid to those hopes.
Jorge Sampaoli´s troops gave their all against the Dutch, who were happy to sit back and soak up pressure in the knowledge that a draw would be enough for them to top the group.
As it was, Holland took the spoils with goals from substitutes Leroy Fer (77 mins) and Memphis Depay (90 mins) in the closing stages of the match.
The first, worryingly, came from a free header in the box from a well worked corner, while the blistering pace of Arjen Robben set up the second at the death.
Then it was left to see what Brazil could do in Group A, which bizarrely finished after Group B.
Two-goal Neymar led the way as the hosts triumphed 4-1 against Cameroon to edge the group on goal difference from Mexico, who will face the Dutch after seeing off Croatia 3-1.
Former Hearts striker Mauricio Pinilla, who was introduced late on against Holland, said: “They did the game that they wanted to and they won with counter-attacks and dead balls.
“We have to take the positives and work on them for the last 16 – we need to show intensity, aggression and that we want to be the protagonists.
“It cost us to play our game, but we are in the knockout stages. Now there comes a game in which you can´t gift anyone anything.”
Everyone in Chile will be hoping for a different outcome this time around when the sides meet in Belo Horizonte at noon on Saturday.
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