Brazil coach Tite said he is desperate to avoid the “horror” lottery of penalties as he handed World Cup quarter-final opponents Belgium a frightening list of obstacles to overcome on Friday. Bidding for a record-extending sixth World Cup in Russia, Brazil were one of five sides to qualify for the last eight without requiring extra-time and penalties, after outclassing Mexico 2-0 in Samara.
Although Tite expects Belgium to provide his team with a stiff challenge on Friday in Kazan, he is adamant the cool-headed Brazilians can secure their semi-final spot over the 90 minutes.
“A football match should never be settled with the horror of penalties. I don’t see that as a valid result,” Tite told a packed press conference on Thursday. “For me, there has to be another way.”
A Belgium team starring Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City and Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku, were tipped by many pundits as outsiders to win their first-ever World Cup.