History has shown Brazil are beatable

Like everyone at home we have sat amazed, watching one shock result after another. Now, with the second round matches completed, the possible route to the final is a lot clearer. What price would you have got on none of the following reaching this stage; France, Argentina, Portugal and Italy? As accumulators go, that would have been a big payout!

Many people seem to be of the opinion that if we beat Brazil, then with the aforementioned teams out of the way, lifting the World Cup would be something of a formality.

This is ignoring the evidence and events of the past three weeks, where the likes of Senegal and South Korea have performed so impressively. Nothing can be taken for granted in football; I honestly believe that all of the teams left in the competition are capable of beating each other. It will come down to performing well on the day and enjoying a little bit of luck.

It is for these reasons that we have to go into Friday's showdown with Brazil with great optimism.

Of all of the countries that you could wish to play against as an international footballer, Brazil is unquestionably the most glamorous. No other nation has a record to touch theirs in the World Cup and the style of their football attracts fans from all over the world.

My earliest memories of watching them play were in the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Like so many kids, my dad had told me about them and how special they were. I wasn't disappointed.

The likes of Zico, Eder, Socrates and Falcao truly lit up my afternoons and evenings as they scored at will and played football in a manner we would all love to play. Freekicks flew in, goalkeepers were chipped and the samba beat pounded rhythmically in the background.

They were the best attacking team in the tournament, no question, but went out in the second phase to the Italians. The same was probably true four years ago when they lost the final to France. That could prove to be an omen, because the current Brazil side clearly have more options going forward than any other team in this tournament. Those great teams of the past were beaten and that means that this one can be too.