Brazil were booed by their own fans after stumbling to a 2-2 draw with Chile in their first friendly at a 2014 World Cup stadium on Wednesday. The match at the newly refurbished Mineirao in Belo Horizonte was coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's last test before naming his squad on May 14 for the Confederations Cup to be held at six venues in Brazil in June.
The friendly, in which Chile were attempting to win in Brazil for the first time in 26 appearances, was also a chance for the local World Cup organising committee to test the venue, the second to be ready for the June 15-30 tournament. Despite a good turnout with a crowd of over 53,000 and a pre-match party, the demanding home fans booed their team and shouted 'Ole' when the Chileans exchanged a string of passes.
"One day you're booed, the next you're praised, football's like that," said striker Neymar, who put Brazil 2-1 up in the 54th minute from a pass by substitute striker Alexandre Pato. Defender Marcos Gonzalez, who plays his club football in Brazil for Flamengo, headed Chile into the lead from a free kick in the eighth minute.
Centre back Rever equalised for Brazil midway through the first half heading home Neymar's corner. Striker Eduardo Vargas, who plays for Brazilian side Gremio, gave Chile the draw with a superb shot into the top corner from outside the box in the 64th....
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10:51 AM, Apr 25, 2013
Sao Paulo: Ronaldinho will captain Brazil in their friendly against Chile on Wednesday, moving into a strong position to confirm his spot in the Confederations Cup squad. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari reiterated his confidence in the two-time FIFA player of the year on Tuesday, picking him to lead the team in its final match before the Confederations Cup squad is announced. Scolari has already said he will likely choose between...
10:12 AM, Apr 24, 2013
The 24-year-old has recovered from a thigh injury that forced him out of the side's 2-2 draw with Russia this month. ...
02:55 PM, Mar 29, 2013
Scolari says he isn't afraid of dropping Neymar from Brazil's starting lineup if the star striker fails to find his best form. ...
10:24 AM, Mar 27, 2013
The Brazil coach returned to a frigid Stamford Bridge on Sunday for the first time since being unceremoniously sacked in 2009. ...
09:18 AM, Mar 25, 2013
Balotelli left Neymar in the shadows as he capped an inspiring performance with a majestic goal in a 2-2 draw. ...
05:36 AM, Mar 22, 2013
Brazil's matches against Italy and Russia are billed as friendlies but could be an acid test for midfielder Kaka's hopes of playing in his fourth World Cup next year. ...
08:58 AM, Mar 21, 2013
The 25-year-old replaces Paris Saint-Germain star Lucas, who suffered a left ankle injury during his team's 2-1 Ligue 1 victory over Nancy March 9. ...
10:23 PM, Mar 14, 2013
Scolari insists that Ronaldinho remains in his World Cup plans despite leaving the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year out of a 22-man squad to face Italy and Russia. ...
02:16 PM, Mar 06, 2013
Ronaldinho has been told by coach Scolari that he must justify his surprise inclusion for Brazil after a one-year absence. ...
09:02 PM, Feb 05, 2013
Ronaldinho made his last appearance against Bosnia in February last year. ...
02:35 AM, Jan 23, 2013
Scolari ran into his first controversy by making comment against Brazil's biggest bank the Banco do Brasil. ...
09:04 AM, Nov 30, 2012
Luiz Felipe Scolari took over as the coach of 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil on Thursday, returning for a second stint to lead his country's bid to win a sixth world title on home soil in little more than 18 months' time. ...
07:06 PM, Nov 29, 2012
Scolari will replace Mano Menezes who was sacked last Friday. ...
08:15 PM, Nov 28, 2012
Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo says he is considering retirement after suffering a rib and shoulder injury while playing for Kabuscorp in Angola's top flight. The 40-year-old said on Twitter he would be forced to undergo at least two weeks of physiotherapy, ruling him out for the rest of the season, reports Xinhua. "With this injury the season is practically over for me in Angola. I have...
01:29 PM, Oct 24, 2012
London: Former Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari claims it will be "hell" for whoever succeeds Andre Villas-Boas as manager of the Blues. Scolari, now manager of Brazilian side Palmeiras, is not surprised the Portuguese was sacked so soon into his reign at Stamford Bridge because he thinks Chelsea are different to other English clubs. The former World Cup winner also feels the 34-year-old failed to adequately replace players that needed...
05:06 PM, Mar 05, 2012
It was reported that Ballack pleaded for the sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari. ...
03:39 PM, Feb 17, 2009
He was speaking after the sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari and Tony Adams. ...
04:19 PM, Feb 14, 2009
Hiddink identified the need to unify the 'team' he has inherited from Scolari. ...
03:57 PM, Feb 13, 2009
Blues have paid the sacked Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari off. ...
12:44 AM, Feb 12, 2009
