MOTD preview- Brazil v Spain

By on June 30, 2013

Although having prevented facing Spain in the semifinals for the Confederations Cup, Brazil will meet La Roja in the final of the World Cup 2014 preparation tournament.  Meeting Spain for the first time since 1999, the Selecao will face a completely different side then they did thirteen years ago, with the only major trophy Spain has failed to win in the past five years being the Confederations Cup, which Brazil claimed back in 2009.

Both sides will ride into the match in form, but it would be a more devastating loss to Brazil, who have not lost on home soil in competitive matches since 1975.  Luiz Scolari’s side have beat Spain in four of their last eight meetings, although Vincent Del Bousque’s side are favorites to win the match, and tournament.  Spain though, have been in even more lethal form, with their 29-match unbeaten run in competitive matches stretching back to the 2010 World Cup.  But with Cesc Fabregas expected to be unavailable due to injury, Brazil are in with a chance, however small.

For Scolari the match will be key, as a win would surely cement his spot as manager for next years World Cup, while a loss would put the manager’s job under stress.  The 64-year-old will have prepared his side to be able to cope with Spain’s tiki-taka style of play, and Brazil must be ready to sustain the enormous amount of pressure Xavi and co. will put on the Selecao.  As La Roja have kept an average of 63% possession during the tournament,  they will also expect to win the match, although an early Brazil goal could put them in an unfamiliar situation. But whether Brazil do end up taking en early lead or not, the match is sure to be exciting, so look out for my full time report, right here on Football Every Day

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.