World Cup hosts and favorites Brazil take on Chile in the first game in the round of 16 tomorrow at noon.
Brazil managed to win Group A despite not looking overly impressive in their first two matches which resulted in a 3-1 win over Croatia, and 0-0 draw verse Mexico. However, Neymar and company were able to figure things out in their last match of group play when they overwhelmed Cameroon 4-1, which should have them feeling good about themselves as they gear up for a gritty Chilean side.
Chile managed to get through to the round of 16 by defeating Australia 3-1 in their opening match, and then shocking defending champions Spain 2-0 in their second. With a place in the next round assured after two matches, Chile fell 2-0 to the Netherlands to finish second in Group B.
Brazil are the heavy favorites coming into the match according to BleacherReport, and with good reason, as they will have nearly all of the estimated 62,000 fans at Estádio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte pushing them on.
Neymar looked unstoppable against Cameroon as he scored two goals, which gives him four in the tournament and leaves him tied with Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller for top scorer. The only thing that has been able to distract Neymar from scoring goals has been controversy surrounding unsanctioned underwear. That's right his underwear, SportingNews, has the story on Brazil's most famous pair of briefs.
Brazil certainly can't go into the game expecting to win because they are the hosts, Chile features Alexis Sánchez, an incredibly fast forward who showed he can score against any defense with Barcelona this past season. Chile will be looking for revenge, as Brazil knocked them out in the round of 16 four years in a dominant 3-0 game. Besides having revenge on their minds, this Chilean team is trying to make their mark in history, as Chile has only made it past the round of 16 once, back in 1962 when they finished third.
Chile has all the motivation they could want, but I do not believe it will be enough to get them a spot in the quarterfinals. Brazil simply has too many world class players up and down their roster and will ultimately overmatch Chile over the course of 90 minutes. I believe Neymar will score at least once to put him in position to with the Golden Boot. Sánchez will also score but to no avail, as I'm predicting a 3-1 victory for Brazil.