Despite fracturing his vertebra in the quarter-final in Colombia, Neymar is in his kit and sitting on the bench this afternoon. As he emerges from the tunnel he receives a very warm welcome from the adoring crowd.
News is filtering through that Wesley Sneijder has been injured during the warm up, so Jonathan de Guzman will start in his place. It’s a blow to Netherlands, with reports suggesting that he has pulled his hamstring.
Some people write this game off as a non-event, but both these teams still have a form of motivation to perform tonight. Plus, the last nine World Cup third-place play-off matches have all seen at least three goals scored. If that record continues we should be in for an entertaining night!
This is the 12th meeting of these two nations and both have earned three victories with the remaining five fixtures ending as draws, including the most recent 0-0 in a 2011 friendly. Their previous World Cup encounter, however, saw the Dutch emerge as 2-1 winners in the quarter-finals of the 2010 competition.
Following that humiliating defeat to Germany, Brazil have now conceded the most of goals of any side in the current World Cup with 11 goals being put past them. The last time they conceded so many was in 1938, but never have they allowed more into their net. All the more reason for the Selecao to turn their form around and put in a strong display this evening. The public won’t accept anything less.
Tonight will bring the Selecao’s fourth appearance in the third-place play-off, but their first since 1978. Brazil have won two and lost one of their three previous appearances at this stage. It will also be Netherlands fourth appearance in the third-place match and, after 1974 and 1978, the second time that they have finished in the top four in successive tournaments.
Van Gaal’s only change from the side which were eliminated on penalties by Argentina sees Nigel de Jong, who rapidly return from a groin muscle injury to feature in that match, replaced by Feyenoord midfielder Jordy Clasie. Dirk Kuyt starts at wing-back again once more in what will be his final game for Oranje as he has announced he will retire from international football after the tournament.
Netherlands (3-4-1-2): Cillessen; De Vrij, Vlaar, Martins Indi; Kuyt, Clasie, Wijnaldum, Blind; Sneijder; Robben, Van Persie.
Felipao has Thiago Silva available once more as the centre-back returns from suspension to partner David Luiz in defence. Maxwell, Paulinho, Ramires and Willian all come in for Marcelo, Fernandinho, Hulk and Bernard respectively. The final change sees Jo start in attack, with the coach clearly sparing Fred from any potential for similar ill-treatment from the stands like that which he suffered in the semi-final.
Brazil (4-2-3-1): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Maxwell; Luiz Gustavo, Paulinho; Ramires, Oscar, Willian; Jo.
The teams have been announced and unsurprisingly there are six changes for Brazil. On the other hand, Oranje make just one alteration to the side that started their semi-final against Argentina. Full line-ups on the way.
Off the back of their brutal 7-1 battering at the hands of Germany in the semi-final, Brazil are playing for pride this evening. They will not lift the trophy on home soil once more, but the Selecao know that nothing less than a win will do for their nation tonight. Netherlands, meanwhile, also feel they have something to play for, with Louis Van Gaal vocal in his wishes for the team to end the tournament unbeaten.
Hello and welcome to the World Cup third-place play-off between hosts Brazil and Netherlands. The Mane Garrincha stadium in Brasilia is the venue for this evening’s encounter, and although their dreams of lifting the ultimate prize have been scuppered both sides will be keen for a result. My name is Tom Webber, and I will be guiding you through all the action as it happens