Luiz Felipe Scolari predicts World Cup final against Argentina as Brazil coach prepares for final warm-up match against Serbia

  • Scolari has analysed the draw and predicted that Argentina would be Brazil's most likely opponent on Jul 13
  • The South American rivals cannot meet until at least the semi-finals
  • If both teams top their groups, they can only meet in the final at the Maracana
  • Brazil play their final World Cup warm-up match against Serbia on Friday

By Tales Azzoni, Ap

Published: 02:00 EST, 6 June 2014 | Updated: 07:26 EST, 6 June 2014

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has projected that Argentina will be the most likely opponent if the hosts can make it all the way to the World Cup final.

Scolari says he and his staff analysed the tournament's bracket and predicted the two South American powers will meet in the July 13 final.

While Argentina is one of the chief threats to Brazil winning the tournament, Scolari wants them to do well, as a final between them would match 'great players' and two teams with 'a lot of quality' against each other.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Neymar and Hulk lead Brazil workout in the gym

Leading from the front: Luiz Felipe Scolari leads training on Thursday as Brazil prepare for the Serbia friendly

Leading from the front: Luiz Felipe Scolari leads training on Thursday as Brazil prepare for the Serbia friendly

Team orders: Braziil coach Scolari (left) gives instructions to Neymar (centre) and David Luiz

Team orders: Braziil coach Scolari (left) gives instructions to Neymar (centre) and David Luiz

Eye on the ball: Neymar heads the ball during training at the Granja Comary training complex

Eye on the ball: Neymar heads the ball during training at the Granja Comary training complex

Helping hand: Brazil's Bernard (left) stretches with the assistance of David Luiz

Helping hand: Brazil's Bernard (left) stretches with the assistance of David Luiz

On the run: Neymar dribbles with the ball as Ramires (centre) and Hernandes (left) give chase

On the run: Neymar dribbles with the ball as Ramires (centre) and Hernandes (left) give chase

 
 

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Scolari said: 'Argentina I believe are the most likely to reach the final.

'I hope that, just by looking at the trip we have in front of us to the end, the final could be Brazil, and for the characteristics that I see in a team, by looking at various factors, it could be Argentina.

'I hope we can make it a Brazil-Argentina final, a South American final, with players that have great technical ability.

'I don't want Argentina to drop out beforehand. I want them to play their best football. If they lose, it's not my problem.

'My problem is Brazil. I have to take Brazil to the final, taking on whoever stands in our way.'

The rivals cannot meet at the World Cup until at least the semi-finals. If both teams finish first in their groups, they can only face each other in the final at the Maracana Stadium.

Brazil play their final World Cup warm-up match on Friday in Rio De Janeiro before the hosts gets their campaign underway next Thursday against Croatia.

Plenty of balls: Brazil's Marcelo (left) and Thiago Silva stand by the array of Brazuca footballs

Plenty of balls: Brazil's Marcelo (left) and Thiago Silva stand by the array of Brazuca footballs

Facing off: Brazil defender Dante heads the ball during training on Thursday

Facing off: Brazil defender Dante heads the ball during training on Thursday

Picturesque: Brazil train at the Granja Comary complex ahead of their final warm-up match against Serbia

Picturesque: Brazil train at the Granja Comary complex ahead of their final warm-up match against Serbia

Addressing the media: Scolari talks during a press conference in Teresopolis on Thursday

Addressing the media: Scolari talks during a press conference in Teresopolis on Thursday

 

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This would be a cracker of a match but people are forgetting just how could Spain are. Especially when they keep the ball so well in such hot temperatures

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When are people going to recognise that this Brazilian squad don't compare with the great sides of the past; Vava,Didi, Garrincha, Rivelino demonstrated tricks on the ball unique to Brazilians . The current players are all 'Europeanised- 'get it ,give it , move'. You won't see any tricks from a side stifled by over coaching . Lineker and co will try to generate the usual hysteria when Brazil play ; most people couldn't name 3 players in the current squad. Expect a huge sense of anticlimax when Brazil play; you won't see any magic , just as Italy are a mere shadow of the sides containing Riva and Riveira .,

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What is the old man talking about? I looked at the bracket and if both Argentina and Brazil finish 1st in their group, they can only play each other in the semi-final.

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"The rivals cannot meet at the World Cup until at least the semi-finals. If both teams finish first in their groups, they can only face each other in the final at the Maracana Stadium." this makes no sense.

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I am going with Germany vs. Brazil

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Uh Brazil always calculate who they will meet in the final even if they dont get there. Ridiculous.

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An attacking team like Argentina would have the advantage as they'd put any team in the back foot, unless is Jose' Bus' hah but Spain won European twice and WC without any particular deferents, in fact apart from Ramos who hasn't needed to so much for Spain, is the forwards that have made the team tick for last decade now, Messi, Aguero, Di Maria and Higuan should strike fear in any team at this World Cup, Di Maria for instance was a monster of his own at CL final, that was a World Cup final performance, now Messi I believe will tear this WC apart as he's proper ripe now but Aguero can also gel right in, I think Argentina will surely go in the final but Brazil look rusty, I'd rather fancy Germany or Spain or good old Italy to the final, I'm supporting Italy at this WC but I'd love Messi to go down as the greatest footballer of human kind existence with a WC medal in his cabinet. Salut

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What have I been saying, Brazil should be worried about getting through to the next round, Serbia haven't even been training most players are on holiday.....And Neymar Total needs to be red Carded for all the diving, needs to pull his head in.... So don't go thinking its a walk in the park Brazil even if its in your own country you still get booed and whistled at lol.

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Totally agree with him. Feel however that Messi is too great a player to end up without a World Cup winners medal so I will go for Argentina to win the final.

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My idea is that Spain will lose to Netherlands in the first game, so they will pass the group stage as second place and it will be Brasil-Spain in round of 16. So i don't think Brasil will even get to the final...

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IF SPAIN GETS BEATEN BY NETHERLANDS HOW ARE THEY GOING TO BEAT BRAZIL WHO IS RIGHT NOW THE MOST DANGEROUS TEAM EVEN WITHOUT MOURA FILIPE AND COSTA??, IF SPAIN DOESN´T BEAT NETHERLANDS THEY JUST DON´T GET THROUGH THE GROUP STAGES

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that will be some final ... in the end i think the argentina will be the winner.

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