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Brazil were the favourites to lift the World Cup before any kick of the football in Russia, closely followed by the likes of Germany and Spain, Argentina even. With one game in the Round of Sixteen to go, the Selecao are the only outright remaining frontrunners for the biggest prize in world football.
Brazil have managed to remain undefeated in the competition and are looking good to make the journey all the way to the final in Luzhniki Stadium in a couple of weeks' time. They will not have an easy time doing that though, with another equally talented Belgium side up next and also the prospect of either Uruguay or France in the semi-finals.
However, Tite's men have shown plenty to be optimistic about as they look to restore some of the lost glory on the world stage following the nightmare of Belo Horizonte, four years ago. We look at three reasons why Brazil managed to secure a spot in the final 8:
#3 Solid at the back
It is no secret that if you want to win trophies, you have to first and foremost defend; it is impossible to stress how important it is for winning that a side refuses to concede goals. That is solely how Italy did it in 2006, Spain and Germany, too, were as water-tight as any in their successes on the global stage.
Brazil managed to give away 7 against Germany in the last World Cup game before the edition in Russia. Now, with 4 games played, their defence has let in only one - in the opener against Switzerland. They have not conceded any in the next 270 minutes of football.
They have been solid, quick to turnover possession - something vital to the attacks they spring on the counter and maintained a good shape when defending without the ball. They have a sturdy defensive partnership in the middle with the trusted Thiago Silva alongside the stalwart Miranda - both hard to get any change out of.
Full-backs Fagner and Marcelo have provided width in attack and been earnest in defence. Filipe Luiz, who deputised for Marcelo against Mexico following his injury, was impressive as well.
With Casemiro and Paulinho patrolling in front of the back four, Brazil have proved to be a tough side to break down - a major reason why they managed to grab a spot in the final eight.
#2 Creativity and goals in midfield
A mixture of grit and expression with a defensive midfield pairing that is keeping the immaculate Fernandinho on the bench and the creativity and guile provided by Willian and Phillipe Coutinho, Brazil seem to have the right ingredients to win the battle in the middle of the park.
The Selecao have some of the most impressive players in the midfield and more importantly, have a lot of creativity and plenty of goals in them. Coutinho has already shown us twice how much he likes to find the back of the net. Willian has threatened, like he did against Mexico, multiple times and has come close on a couple of occasions and was undoubtedly their MOTM in the quarterfinals.
To add to that, even Paulinho - who has already scored in Russia - and Casemiro have a couple of goals in them and in games when the strikers aren't able to get joy against the opposition rear-guard, like they possibly will against Uruguay in the semi-finals, it is important to have other players in the side who can do the scoring when the opportunity presents itself.
#1 The Golden Boy is beginning to sparkle
Neymar Jr. has well and truly arrived in Russia and it was Mexico who had to pay the price for it. The PSG man is one of the most fascinating characters on the planet. His talents, even more mesmerizing.
But often, it is the glitz and glamour surrounding the personality that gains prominence over his undisputed abilities on the ball. He lit up his home country four years ago, but a heart-wrenching injury in the quarter-finals ruled him out of the game against Germany. He will have his chance again.
A determined run at the heart of the defence followed by an audacious back heel to Willian, before storming into the 18-yard box to slide home the cross and the blistering pace to get one-on-one with the goalkeeper which ended up at Firmino's feet for an easy tap-in - the Golden Boy of Brazil delivered when it mattered the most.
He may not have been as expressive as the last World Cup this time around but his performance against Mexico, for all of Willian's brilliance, was the difference in the end. In Russia, he has been whacked down time and again, making him the most fouled player in the history of the competition since Maradonna back in 1986. Argentina had gone on to lift the trophy on that occasion. Repeat on the cards?
