Brazil vs South Korea, FIFA World Cup 2022, Today Match Prediction

Brazil vs South Korea Match Prediction & Analysis

Brazil were handed the positive news that talisman Neymar should be fit to play in their Round of 16 clash against South Korea, just days after fearing his tournament may be over.

Despite winning their opening two group games, Brazil were dealt a blow in their final game by losing to Cameroon. It mattered little in their quest to top the group, although it would have been unwelcome for sure.

Now, with the stakes as high as they come, Brazil’s first-team players will return to the fold. The likes of Casemiro, Vinicius and Richarlison were all rested in that game and will be full of energy here.

South Korea, as we have seen, are always full of energy. Until their last game, it looked as though that energy was without an end product, but they earned a vital win over Portugal to send them through to the last 16.

Without wanting to dampen that result, it was against a Portugal side that also made a number of changes, and they’ll need to step up once more if they are to beat a full-strength Brazil side.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Brazil Preview

FIFA Ranking: 1

Predicted Finish: Winners

Reasons to be cheerful:

     It’s been 32 years since they were knocked out at this stage

     Neymar should be fit to return to the side having resumed training

Reasons to be fearful:

     Haven’t scored in the first half of any game so far

     Attacking ruthlessness of Brazil teams of the past hasn’t been there

Brazil have a wonderful chance to make the latter stages of a World Cup, one that could lead to their sixth trophy if everything goes their way.

They know that South Korea won’t be an easy test for them – the Asian nation have an unpredictability about them that Brazil won’t want to take lightly. If they let this game drift, they could be in trouble.

One worrying stat is that Tite’s men haven’t scored in the first half of a game at this World Cup. They’ll need to start games better if they harbour hopes of winning the tournament.

The best news possible for Brazilian fans is that Neymar is fit and available here. While the PSG forward is yet to score at this tournament, his quality and leadership skills will provide an immeasurable boost.

Star Man – Neymar

Still without a goal at this World Cup, although this is only his second appearance after injury. He remains two goals behind Pele’s Brazil record, and he’ll be targeting that here.

South Korea Preview

FIFA Ranking: 28

Predicted Finish: Round of 16

Reasons to be cheerful

     Win over Portugal will bring great confidence

     Have the capacity to cause a shock

Reasons to be fearful

     Have lost six of the previous seven against Brazil

     South Korea’s first knockout World Cup game in 12 years

South Korea have the opportunity to progress to the Quarter Finals for only the second time in World Cup history, and the first since they achieved a fourth-place finish in 2002, where they were co-hosts.

That year, Japan were also World Cup hosts, and it could be the Japanese awaiting South Korea in the next round, albeit in unlikely circumstances.

The Koreans’ confidence will be sky-high having beaten Portugal to progress to the knockout stages. A last-minute winner can leave the team feeling like they can achieve anything, and they’ll need that spirit here.

Naturally, their record against Brazil is poor, having lost six of the last seven, but in a one-off World Cup game, they will feel that anything can happen.

Star Man – Son Heung-min

Provided the assist for the winning goal against Portugal, although has only one World Cup goal from his last 13 shots. He’ll be desperate to get on the scoresheet here and be the hero for his country once again.