Brazil vs Chile to open World Cup playoffs Saturday
The first match in the round of 16 will be played on Saturday (June 28) 1 pm by Brazil and Chile at Mineirão.
As the FIFA World Cup moves on to its second stage, the rule from now on is, you lose, you're out. This means the drama of overtime, exhausted players lying by the field, and invariably tension-filled penalty shootouts begins. The first match in the round of 16 will be played on Saturday (June 28) 1 pm by Brazil and Chile at Mineirão. On the same day, at 5pm, Uruguay and Colombia face off at Maracanã.
The first phase of the World Cup came to an end on Thursday (26) with 48 matches in 15 days, 136 goals, and an average 2.8 goals per game. Out of the 32 competitors, 16 have left the tournament and the other half remain in Brazil for the eighth-finals starting on Saturday (28).
Among the teams that have bought their tickets back home are Spain, the defending champions. The team that captivated the world with their engaging, patient ball handling that would always lead to the goal was shaken up right in the first game against the Netherlands. The 5-1 defeat was too hard a blow, and too early on for the Spaniards to manage a recovery. Next, a defeat to Chile sent the reigning champions packing, complete with their engaging football.
Other falls were also remarkable. In Group D, five world champions fell by the wayside. In the so-called “group of death” of this edition of the world soccer tournament, Italy and England failed to extend their presence on Brazilian pitches, which means such football stars as Balotelli, Pirlo, Buffon, Rooney, and Gerrard will go back home earlier and watch the World Cup comfortably seated on their couches.
The cause for Italy's and England's not featuring in the knockout stage was the biggest surprise of the tournament so far – Costa Rica. Held as the group's weakest team, they managed Uruguay and Italy authoritatively to qualify a match ahead with four goals scored and only one conceded from a penalty kick. Costa Rica is reveling and the well-performing cast of players led by striker Joel Campbell has the potential to go further. In the next phase, the Costa Ricans will face Greece who play their first eighth-finals.
And not only Costa Ricans have reason to celebrate. Several Latin American teams are making the most of the World Cup in their home continent. Large crowds of Chilean, Colombian, and Argentinian fans have been seen in the stadiums and the host cities. Eight teams from the Americas feature among second phase competitors, including five from South America. Europe has six representatives in the round of 16, and l and Africans, two. Dark horse Costa Rica beat England and another world champion was eliminated in the group stage.
The first phase of the World Cup has also been marred by controversy. One such episode was right in the opening game, when a dubious penalty was awarded to Brazil. The move angered Croatia, who ended up defeated, as well as other teams, raising concerns around undue favoring of the host team.
But the biggest controversy of the competition so far was seen in the final group round, precisely in the “group of death”, as forward Suarez bit Italy's Chiellini in the shoulder. The referee did not see it, but with so many cameras surrounding the field, one could hardly dispute it. In the end, the misconduct was costly to Suarez, as he was banned from the nine upcoming games and is out of the World Cup.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Brazil vs Chile to open World Cup playoffs Saturday
