Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari firmly believes his team is getting better with each World Cup game and hopes that will continue when they face Chile in the last 16.
The Canarinha demolished Cameroon 4-1 on Monday to finish top of Goup A and set up a meeting with the Chileans on Saturday in Belo Horizonte.
That victory was on the back of a disappointing 0-0 draw with Mexico, and Brazil’s rediscovered attacking verve against the Africans helped ease fears over whether the Selecao have the necessary firepower to lift the World Cup.
“We can improve a bit more and we will have to do so if we want to overcome Chile, who are good,” Scolari said. “Now we cannot make mistakes. From now on, everyone is on the same level.”
In Fortaleza, two first-half goals from Neymar put the hosts on the road to victory as the 22-year-old forward took his tally for the tournament to four in three games.
“I liked the way my team played,” Scolari said. “We depend on Neymar just like Argentina depend on Lionel Messi. They are players that are very different and are the reference points in their respective national teams.
“The fact is that we have improved in our passing and our marking. We still need to put more pressure on midfield.
“Even though we scored four goals against Cameroon, we could have struck seven or eight times. We are nevertheless improving.”
Scolari warned his players they now have to take their game to an extra level.
Chile, who finished second in Group B, won their opening two games against Australia and Spain but lost 2-0 to the Netherlands.
Scolari is wary of Chile despite his national team having knocked them out the two times they have faced each other in the last 16 of the tournament.
“If I could have, I would have chosen a different rival,” the 65-year-old added. “Chile, like all the South American sides, are very difficult.
“They have malice, they are organised and have a lot of quality.”
Brazil won 4-2 in 1998 and 3-0 in South Africa four years ago but Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli remains confident of progress.
“Brazil is the number one candidate to win the tournament but I don’t think my players will be overwhelmed,” Sampaoli said. “Our rivals know they will face a team that will battle for 90 minutes.”
Chile will be bolstered by the return of midfielder Arturo Vidal against Brazil.
The Juventus player, who und-erwent knee surgery last month, played in their wins over Australia and Spain but was rested in Monday’s game against the Netherlands as a precaution.
Vidal said: “I’m not going to miss this game for the world and I’m going to work hard in order to arrive to it in the best possible shape.”
By Felix Mendoza
