Team GB have reached the quarter-finals with something to spare and, from here, it is reasonable to start thinking they have authentic hopes of a medal. Spain, the pre-tournament favourites, have already crashed out and, to recap, there is no Germany to spoil all the fun. How Stuart Pearce and his players must wish Brazil were on the opposite side of the draw.

The next assignment is against South Korea at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday and it is then that Brazil loom into view, with a potential semi-final at Wembley next Tuesday. "I said beforehand that Brazil came into this tournament as vast favourites," Pearce said. Yet he was sufficiently emboldened to talk up his team's chances.

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