World Cup 2022: Enrique Wants Brazil for Spain in the Knockout Stages

• Spain head coach Luis Enrique wants to play Brazil in the knockout stages
• The Selecao have already progressed while La Roja need a draw to qualify
• Portugal coach Fernando Santos does not share the sentiments of Enrique

Spain head coach Luis Enrique will hope he is not asking for too much for his young side, by wanting to meet favourites Brazil in the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Brazil won their first two group games and have progressed to the next round already, while just a point from their final group game against Japan will ensure Spain progress.

Enrique labeled the Samba Boys as the only true favourite at this year's Mundial because of their method on the football pitch, while claiming other teams were contenders only because of their position on the global rankings.

Luis Enrique's statement on Brazil

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Enrique is preparing his team for their final group game on Thursday and said he hopes to meet the Selecao, while speaking to the media ahead of the game, as quoted by GSFN:

“I hope [Brazil and Spain] meet and if we do, it will be because we have both finished first. They are the clear favourites and have a very clear style of play. After that, the rest of the favourites are determined by the FIFA ranking,” he said.

Spain were last victorious at the World Cup in 2010 in South Africa - their only victory - while record holder Brazil won their fifth title in 2002 in Korea and Japan.

Portugal want to avoid Brazil

Sports Brief earlier reported that Portugal head coach Fernando Santos wants to avoid Brazil for his side in the earlier stages of the knockout phase, admitting it is inevitable in the latter stages.

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The respective Selecao sides are through to the knockout stages, but still need to top their groups to avoid drawing top opposition in the first round of the last 16.

Portugal have not won the World Cup before and should they want to make history in Cristiano Ronaldo's final Mundial, they need to beat the best teams in the world.