Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Brazil will look to cement top position in the South America World Cup qualifiers when they take on Chile, who are fighting hard to secure a top-five finish. A Selecao rolled over Paraguay 4-0 in February, but seeing that Argentina are still breathing down their neck, we are positive that Tite’s men are going to take Friday’s clash seriously. PSG ace Neymar is back from injury, while Man City striker Gabriel Jesus has been left out of the squad.
Arsenal rising star Gabriel Martinelli has earned his first call-up. La Roja, on the other hand, recorded a very important 3-2 win over Bolivia in their last qualifying match. Chile aim to climb to top five in the standings, but spoiling Brazil’s party at Maracana is easier said than done. As for the visiting side, Blackburn attacker Ben Brereton should miss out with injury, while Arturo Vidal returns to the squad.
Highlighted Player (Neymar):
Neymar is a Brazilian football superstar who plays for PSG as a winger. The pacey footballer, who is capable of playing as a centre forward as well, is well known his creativity, passing and finishing. Neymar was born in Mogi das Cruzes on 5 February, 1992 and he began his senior career at Santos. After scoring 54 goals in 103 appearances for the Brazilian outfit, he joined Barcelona in 2013.
The Brazilian ace signed a five-year deal with the Catalan outfit and he has been playing for the La Liga giants ever since. Neymar the 2014/2015 Champions League trophy with Barcelona and that is considered his biggest success. It has to be noted that he clinched the FIFA Club World Cup trophy with Barca as well.
Speaking of his international career, the Barcelona star made his Brazil debut on 10 August, 2010 against USA and it has to be noted that he scored on his debut. In 2013 he won FIFA Confederations Cup with the Brazilian national team. Neymar was born on 5 February, 1992.
Highlighted Team (Chile):
The Chilean Football Federation has been established in 1895 while Chile’s first-ever international game was a 3-1 loss to Argentina in 1910. The two countries formed a remarkable rivalry over the years and it was exactly against Argentina that Chile won their last major trophy – a 2015 Copa America title.
Prior to their 2015 title Chile had been runners-up in the competition on four different occasions. Chile triumphed in a dramatic final on penalty kicks to reach their first tournament championship. In a symbolic turn of events, Chile start their 2016 Copa America Centenario with a rematch against Argentina. The most capped player of the Chile national team is Barcelona goalkeeper who has past his 100-match mark with the squad he has been a part of since 2004.
Former Lazio and Juventus striker, the legendary Marcelo Salas is the leading scorer with 37 goals to his name. Key player to the current set up is Arsenal winger Alexis Sanchez who has been the team’s leader on the pitch since 2006.