Brazil vs. South Korea: Top Storylines, Odds, Live Stream for World Cup 2022
The knockout round of any FIFA World Cup is what matters to Brazil.
The Seleçao reached the quarterfinals in each of the last seven World Cups.
Brazil has two titles in that run from 1994 and 2002 and it qualified for at least the semifinals on two other occasions in 1998 and 2014.
Brazil was dominant for most of the play in Group G. It controlled matches with Switzerland and Serbia and its rotated squad held on for 90 minutes against Cameroon before conceding in second-half stoppage time.
South Korea comes into Monday’s round of 16 clash as a significant underdog despite what it achieved in Group H.
The Asian side beat Portugal in the group finale to advance and it drew with Uruguay in its opener.
South Korea has a dangerous stat in Son Heung-Min, but the Tottenham Hotspur star may not have much time on the ball against a Brazilian defense that has been fantastic for most of the tournament.
Odds and Match Info
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
90-Minute Money Line
Brazil (-350; bet $350 to win $100)
South Korea (+1000; bet $100 to win $1,000)
Draw (+475)
To Advance to Next Round
Brazil (-1100)
South Korea (+650)
Match Info
Date: Monday, December 5
Start Time: 2 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Live Stream: FoxSports.com and Fox Sports app
Brazil Enters Knockout Round with Well-Rested Squad
Brazil gained the opportunity to rest its starters by securing advancement to the knockout round with two wins to start the group stage.
The Seleçao tossed out a heavily rotated squad for the group finale against Cameroon, which it lost in the 92nd minute.
Leading scorer Richarlison and a few others had the chance to be fresh for the knockout round, while most other teams had to go all out in three games just to advance.
Brazil’s biggest lineup selection issue comes from Neymar. The superstar attacker was back in training on Saturday, but his game status is still unknown.
Neymar could start in the middle of the attack, or the Brazilian coaching staff could wait to see if they need the Paris Saint-Germain player before they test his injured ankle.
Neymar’s health will catch all the headlines, but the rest gained from securing a knockout-round spot could be massive against a South Korean side that had to fight to end to get out of Group H.
South Korea Need To Frustrate Brazil, Strike On Counter
Do not expect South Korea to have much of the ball on Monday.
The Asian side will likely have to defend for the bulk of 90 minutes as Brazil tries to wear it down with possession.
South Korea may not be able to go right at the Brazilian defense because it expended so much energy in the 2-1 win over Portugal to advance. A 91st-minute goal from Hwang Hee-Chan put South Korea through.
South Korea will likely create its chances through counter-attacking moments. Son could be at the center of those moves. He will try to send in passes that set up the rare chances on net, just as he did with the winning assist against Portugal.
The counter-attacking opportunities may not even be there in parts of the game. Brazil’s defense shut down the attacks of Switzerland and Serbia to no shots on target, which include the likes Breel Embolo and Aleksandar Mitrović respectively.
South Korea may meet the same fate and that could mean it will defend for 90 minutes and be worn down by the Brazilian midfielders and forwards.
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