Chile will go into their World Cup round of 16 game against hosts Brazil on Saturday with all guns blazing as they look "to make history" against the tournament favorites, forward Alexis Sanchez said.
The Chileans, eliminated three times by Brazil in past World Cups, are eager to confirm their status as dark horses in this tournament with a major upset.
"We came here to make history. We already beat World Cup holders Spain [in the group stage],"
The Chileans, eliminated three times by Brazil in past World Cups, are eager to confirm their status as dark horses in this tournament with a major upset.
"We came here to make history. We already beat World Cup holders Spain [in the group stage],"
Alexis told reporters at their training base in Belo Horizonte.
"The next game is about who has more endurance and who has the mentality to go a long way. We may not all be friends but on the pitch everybody runs for the other and this team is like a pitbull dog." Alexis and teammate Mauricio Isla were asked repeatedly by Chilean reporters whether they had thought about the referee and the potential influence he could have on the outcome for a game that is of massive importance to the hosts and the tournament.
"The best defence at this moment is Brazil's. I am really happy to play against Brazil but I am worried about the referee. But we will see," Alexis said without elaborating further.
Several of his teammates have faced similar questions regarding the referee, who has yet to be announced, on Wednesday.
Sanchez said if Chile were to outmuscle five-time champions Brazil at the Mineirao stadium they only had to look at neighbouring Argentina's winning mentality and finally start believing in themselves.
"They [Argentina] go into every game to win it. We have to have that kind of mentality against Brazil," said the striker. "This match is about which team wants to win with the heart and which teams wants to go all the way to the final," he said.
Argentina, also among the title contenders in Brazil, have yet to hit top form but cruised into the last 16 with three wins out of three games.
Chile beat Spain and Australia in the group stage to secure a spot in the knockout stage before losing to the Netherlands.
"We have to have that winning mentality. Like Mauricio here," he said pointing to teammate Isla, sitting next to him. "He is one of the best players in the world in his position. But he does not believe it. 'Believe it' I tell him." Brazil have won all three previous World Cup fixtures against Chile, all of which have been in the knockout stages of the tournament (Round 2 in 2010, Round 2 in 1998, and the semifinal in 1962)
Chile have conceded 11 goals in their three meetings with Brazil at the World Cup finals, an average of 3.7 per game
Eduardo Vargas has scored in each of his last two appearances for Chile against Brazil, including a goal in Belo Horizonte in April 2013
Brazil have scored two or more goals in each of their last nine matches against Chile, netting 32 in the process (3.6 per game)
Neymar scored the 100th goal of the 2014 World Cup (his first goal versus Cameroon), in Brazil's 100th game in the competition
The Barcelona forward has now scored four times in three matches at the 2014 World Cup and eight times in his last six for Brazil
Chile have lost each of their previous second round fixtures, both of which were against Brazil (0-3 in 2010 & 1-4 in 1998)
Chile have never beaten the Seleção on Brazilian soil, losing 20 and drawing six
"The next game is about who has more endurance and who has the mentality to go a long way. We may not all be friends but on the pitch everybody runs for the other and this team is like a pitbull dog." Alexis and teammate Mauricio Isla were asked repeatedly by Chilean reporters whether they had thought about the referee and the potential influence he could have on the outcome for a game that is of massive importance to the hosts and the tournament.
"The best defence at this moment is Brazil's. I am really happy to play against Brazil but I am worried about the referee. But we will see," Alexis said without elaborating further.
Several of his teammates have faced similar questions regarding the referee, who has yet to be announced, on Wednesday.
Sanchez said if Chile were to outmuscle five-time champions Brazil at the Mineirao stadium they only had to look at neighbouring Argentina's winning mentality and finally start believing in themselves.
"They [Argentina] go into every game to win it. We have to have that kind of mentality against Brazil," said the striker. "This match is about which team wants to win with the heart and which teams wants to go all the way to the final," he said.
Argentina, also among the title contenders in Brazil, have yet to hit top form but cruised into the last 16 with three wins out of three games.
Chile beat Spain and Australia in the group stage to secure a spot in the knockout stage before losing to the Netherlands.
"We have to have that winning mentality. Like Mauricio here," he said pointing to teammate Isla, sitting next to him. "He is one of the best players in the world in his position. But he does not believe it. 'Believe it' I tell him." Brazil have won all three previous World Cup fixtures against Chile, all of which have been in the knockout stages of the tournament (Round 2 in 2010, Round 2 in 1998, and the semifinal in 1962)
Chile have conceded 11 goals in their three meetings with Brazil at the World Cup finals, an average of 3.7 per game
Eduardo Vargas has scored in each of his last two appearances for Chile against Brazil, including a goal in Belo Horizonte in April 2013
Brazil have scored two or more goals in each of their last nine matches against Chile, netting 32 in the process (3.6 per game)
Neymar scored the 100th goal of the 2014 World Cup (his first goal versus Cameroon), in Brazil's 100th game in the competition
The Barcelona forward has now scored four times in three matches at the 2014 World Cup and eight times in his last six for Brazil
Chile have lost each of their previous second round fixtures, both of which were against Brazil (0-3 in 2010 & 1-4 in 1998)
Chile have never beaten the Seleção on Brazilian soil, losing 20 and drawing six
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