Brazil – South Korea

There will be cautious football until half-time. The teams will not score more than one goal in the first half

Brazil made a solid start to the 2022 World Cup, winning their opening two matches. "The Seleção defeated Serbia 2-0 and Switzerland 1-0. In the third game, which had no further tournament significance, the Brazilians lost to Cameroon with a reserve team. In the first half, Brazil held the initiative and allowed virtually nothing to Cameroon, but in the compensatory time, the African unexpectedly realized a goal and snatched victory. Aboubakar headed the ball into the net. Despite the defeat, the Brazilians still won the group with 6 points. While the third round was a formality for Brazil, South Korea needed only a win against Portugal to claim second place. Already in the fifth minute Korea conceded a goal, but before the interval the score was leveled, and in the 91st minute they scored the second goal, which brought the three points and a playoff berth. Uruguay also picked up four points but finished 3rd, behind South Korea in scoring (2 versus 4). Brazil and Korea faced each other five times, with the Seleção winning four and the Asian side winning one game. Fans of the Brazilian team are unlikely to be upset after their defeat by Cameroon. That match decided nothing. All the strongest players will play against South Korea. The appearance of Paulo Bento's team in the play-offs is already a huge achievement. Few thought the Koreans would qualify for the last eight. Had it not been for that magnificent counter-attack in the equalizer against Portugal, things would have been very different. Brazil will have no problem in their next encounter. The bookmakers' betting odds must be accepted. There will be no sensation. The favorite will win and advance to the quarterfinals. But it's unlikely that Tite's side will force the issue. The game is more likely to be low-key until half-time. Nobody will want to take big risks by going on the attack. We expect cautious football at the beginning. You can bet that not more than one goal will be scored in the first half.