“We’ve simply got to win,” coach Marcello Lippi told reporters. “We will try to take the initiative.” Brazil, on six points, need just one more to secure top spot but could still fail to qualify for the semi-finals. All four teams in the group can still make the last four.
Egypt face the United States and victory for the African champions in Rustenburg could deliver an unexpected spot in the last four.
Italy and Egypt are on three points, with the Italians holding a slightly better goal difference. The United States have yet to score a point but could still qualify by thrashing Egypt and a defeat for Italy.
