World Cups tend to get great when Brazil have a great team, which they did four years ago right up until Germany put seven goals past them in the competition’s most memorable semi-final of all.
Talisman Neymar didn’t play that day – he was injured – and so much rests on the world’s most expensive player now he’s fit again after his recent setback.
A piece of paper separates the rest. Costa Rica, Serbia and Switzerland are all good enough to get through the group.
The Swiss are, as always, ones to watch. They have won 13 of their last 15 games. This is one of the better groups.
TOP DOGS
Brazil, of course. Gabriel Jesus, Paulinho, Marcelo, Fernandinho, Fred and, of course, Neymar are all there. If they can click, then they will take some stopping.
It’s not always been easy under coach Tite (why is it Brazilians have such cool names?) as they endured a slow start to qualifying – they did eventually win the group – and had two forgettable Copa Americas.
However, from that awful night in Rio four years ago, an entire country has been building up to this World Cup.
DARK HORSES
You could make an argument for each of the other three sides.
Switzerland are rarely fancied but are always there. They are not the most exciting team, however they know how to grind out results, which is more than half the battle.
Their squad is multi-national and this mix has helped bring some more flair to the Swiss.
They don’t concede many, they don’t lose many, and will have half an eye on the last 16.
WOODEN SPOON CONTENDERS
Costa Rica are probably the weakest side – they have lost four times in their last five games – they did, however, manage to beat Scotland. In goalkeeper Keylor Navas of Real Madrid, they have at least one world class player.
But it will take more than a good goalie for them to finish second.
CLASS ACTS
Anyone wearing gold and blue for a start.
Look out for Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic who found himself out of the Serbian team under the previous coach but has since come back into the squad.
He’s a moody sod but, when in the mood, is one talented footballer.
Also, Aleksandar Mitrovic will be interesting to watch as there is as much chance of him starting a fight as there is of him scoring for the Serbs.
YOUNG BUCKS
Manuel Akanj of Borussia Dortmund is, at 22, already an outstanding defender and one of Switzerland’s better players.
There is talk of him going to Barcelona and an impressive showing on the biggest stage of all might just seal his move.
SCOTTISH INTEREST
Serbia must feel left out because they are the only country in the group not to have played Scotland in a major championship.
In 1990, both Brazil and Costa Rica beat the Scots in Italy. At least we beat the Swiss at Euro 96 – on the night we got knocked out.
CURIOSITY CORNER
The great Romario has advised the Brazilian players to have “as much sex as they can in Russia” because this will help them win the World Cup.
This begs the questions: How much action did the wee man see in 1994?
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