Reuters/LEONHARD FOEGER
Revenge may be a dish best served cold, but it’s also likely to prove a huge motivation for Tite’s team in Russia. Just as Brazil’s prospects were looking good four years ago, Germany inflicted a chastising 7-1 defeat on them at the semi-final stage.
Since then, they have rebuilt to a higher level than they were when hosting the tournament but are still relatively untested against the world’s best teams. Furthermore, they will also need to defeat their demons if they’re to go all the way in Russia.
Reuters/LEONHARD FOEGER
It’s commonly believed that if Brazil are to claim yet another World Cup title, Germany is a team they will need to face and beat at some point in their journey. But where will these two giants meet and who else do Tite’s side need to best along the way?
For a country who demand nothing less than victory, the tag of favourites means little unless their potential is realised. Below, we look at the most likely paths that could open up for the Seleção in the coming weeks.
If Brazil top Group E
Brazil’s group matches are scheduled to pit them against Switzerland, Costa Rica and then Serbia. As clear favourites to stroll through this first stage of the tournament untarnished, this would see them take the following route:
Game | Day | Time | Stadium | City | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brazil vs Switzerland | Sunday 17th June | 19:00 | Rostov Arena | Rostov-on-Don |
2 | Brazil vs Costa Rica | Friday 22nd June | 13:00 | St Petersburg Stadium | St Petersburg |
3 | Serbia vs Brazil | Wednesday 27th June | 19:00 | Spartak Stadium | Moscow |
4 | Round of 16 | Monday 2nd July | 15:00 | Samara Arena | Samara |
5 | Quarter-finals | Friday 6th July | 19:00 | Kazan Arena | Kazan |
6 | Semi-finals | Tuesday 10th July | 19:00 | St Petersburg Stadium | St Petersburg |
7 | Final | Sunday 15th July | 16:00 | Luzhniki Stadium | Moscow |
Making the assumption that the favourite teams progress through the surrounding matches, Mexico will await them in the first knock-out stage. Beyond that, it could prove to be European teams all the way, with Belgium, France and then a grudge-match final against Germany standing in their way to glory.
Group | Round of 16 | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | Mexico | Belgium | France | Germany |
If Brazil finish second in Group E
Things do not always go to plan and a slow start in Russia could open up a different, more dangerous path for the favourites.
Game | Day | Time | Stadium | City | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brazil vs Switzerland | Sunday 17th June | 19:00 | Rostov Arena | Rostov-on-Don |
2 | Brazil vs Costa Rica | Friday 22nd June | 13:00 | St Petersburg Stadium | St Petersburg |
3 | Serbia vs Brazil | Wednesday 27th June | 19:00 | Spartak Stadium | Moscow |
4 | Round of 16 | Tuesday 3rd July | 15:00 | St Petersburg Stadium | St Petersburg |
5 | Quarter-finals | Saturday 7th July | 15:00 | Samara Arena | Samara |
6 | Semi-finals | Wednesday 11th July | 19:00 | Luzhniki Stadium | Moscow |
7 | Final | Sunday 15th July | 16:00 | Luzhniki Stadium | Moscow |
Germany would likely meet them in the round of 16 before South American rivals Columbia in the quarter-finals. Matches against Spain and then France would be the final hurdles to clear in capturing a sixth World title.
Group | Round of 16 | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | Germany | Columbia | Spain | France |
While both of these routes are equally challenging, there appears a good chance that both France and Germany will lie between Tite’s men and ultimate victory. It also appears that the majority of Brazil’s games will be against European opponents, however, the beauty of football lies in the hidden surprises so an Asian or African country could yet be scheduled to play the team in green and yellow.
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