Can Brazil win an Oscar, or will he win them the World Cup?

(Brazil boss Scolari gesturing to his players to step up the tempo)

(Picture courtesy of the Daily Telegraph)

When a five star movie is released, and people flock to the cinema, many a time the thought which crosses viewers minds is, "Has he/she got the chance to have a crack at the Oscars?" 

With Brazil though, it is somewhat different. They have already got an Oscar in their ranks, the more important question is whether the five-time Kings have a five-star team? Based on last night's showing, it is a clear 'No' as they lacked on many fronts. 

The little magician Oscar though, played like a big man. Sleek touches, magnificent crossing, lethal shots when balls pop outside the box, and an eye for that killer pass any manager hopes to have in their arsenal. Brazil have that, though many might say "They have Neymar, he's the main man." Oscar makes this team tick. Defensively, Brazil were all over the place. Fullbacks (both Alves and Marcelo), bombed further up the pitch leaving Thiago Silva and microphone-haired man David Luiz at sea. Scolari will need to address these issues if the hosts are to progress deep into this competition. 

The Croats meanwhile, flattered to deceive. Modric had a haircut, and he might have lost some of his skills at the barbershop too. Pletikosa, the goalkeeper, looked more like he felt playing in a Sunday league game than in the biggest competition on this planet. They have much to improve on, and probably with Mario Mandzukic coming back in the 2nd fixture, that might provide them with a boost. 

Tonight's matches

Mexico v Cameroon

The Mexicans are in disarray at the moment, and with key striker Carlos Vela not in the 23-man squad, they might not do too well. With that being said though, both them and the Cameroonians will be oh so raring to go, to pile the pressure on Croatia, after last night's defeat. Do not count on both teams to sit back in this one, and if one were to judge this on paper, the Africans might just have the edge here. A solid defence with a potent attack in Samuel Eto'o, they always have a chance. 

Possible scoreline - Mexico 0-2 Cameroon.

Spain v Netherlands

Arguably the biggest game in the group stages sees the previous World Cup's finalists face off in their opening match. The Dutch under Louis Van Gaal will never take losing a game, let alone to the Spaniards. And with the fact that they have the duo of Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben in their ranks, nothing can be ruled out. 

La Roja meanwhile, are not coming into this game in the best of form. Numerous questionable performances in the lead up to Rio has seen Vicente del Bosque scratching his head an unsure on what his best team is, though I have a sneaky feeling that he might revert to the Barcelona axis of Xavi, Iniesta and Sergio Busquets in the middle of the park. That is where this game will be won or lost. If Spain can make do of the ball, rather than 'dilly-dally' on it, the Dutch might be in for a repeat result of South Africa 2010. 

With the lack of pace in the Spanish side though, I am seeing a 1-0 win for Van Gaal's Oranje.

Chile v Australia

The South American La Roja are the team I personally am backing, this time around. Look throughout their squad, plus the lesson they handed England at Wembley a couple of month back, and one would be able to reason it out. Alexis Sanchez heading the frontline, Arturo Vidal as the midfield anchor cum presser, and Claudio Bravo, who in my honest opinion, is behind only Manuel Neuer in terms of ball distribution. You have to watch him play to see it!

For the team from Down Under though, well, with the utmost respect to their team of players, but they have as much chance as a Kangaroo with a seahorse on its back, playing football, on a tennis court, with a cheesecake in both hands. Sorry Ozzies, I doubt this team could do much this time around. Mile Jedinak of Crystal Palace is their best player, nothing much left to be said there. 

Prediction - Chile 4 - 0 Australia.