Ranked number one among nations in the world, Brazil locks horns against Ghana at Stade Oceane in Le Havre for the first of the last two international friendlies before the World Cup in Qatar.
The Selecao have not lost a single game since their Copa America final loss to rivals Argentina last year while Ghana have bagged only one victory in 2022 in 10 games so far.
BRA vs GHA Match Details
Date: Friday, 23 September 2022
Time: 20:00 (CET) / 23:30 (IST)
Venue: Stade Oceane, France
BRA vs GHA Match Preview
Brazil are basking in magnificent form by not losing a game for over a year and wishing to continue the momentum to Qatar. Tite’s men have a phenomenal depth in their squad, especially on the frontline leading to many tipping them to win the World Cup this year solely on the talents capable of scoring goals. Whether the Selecao could rekindle their samba magic on the stage of royalty for them is an exciting prospect surrounding the squad building up to the event. Three known oppositions and two same nations from the last edition in the group in Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon will pose a stiff challenge to the record five-time winners. Brazil entered the World Cup finals undefeated in the South American qualifiers collecting a mammoth 45 points from 17 games with their remaining game against Argentina canceled and victories in five of the six matches played this year. In that period, Brazil scored 19 goals and conceded only twice. The Copa America final against Argentina with two 0-0 draws against Colombia and La Albeceleste again are the only few occasions Brazil failed to find the opposition net in last two years. Now 30, Neymar Jr is in incredible form with PSG by netting nine goals and eight assists in 10 games all competition and has scored in Brazil’s last two friendlies against Asian opposition in Japan and South Korea, beating them 1-0 and 5-1 respectively. The former Barcelona man is only three goals behind to match Pele’s all-time scoring record of 77 goals for Brazil. Neymar is in the mood to shrug away the disappointments of the previous two World Cup editions for him and the team. Brazil are gearing up for two friendlies against African nations this time by taking on Ghana first and then Tunisia. Both sides are traveling to Qatar in November for World Cup as well. Certainly, Tite’s men will not make it friendly for their opposition making the most of these games in preparation for the tournament’s first time happening in the winter period.
Ghana are relishing the chance to battle with Brazil to prepare themselves for a tough group in World Cup placed against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea. This will be a real tester against a high-caliber opponent to know their status ahead of the tournament in Qatar. The Black Stars missed out on the 2018 edition of the tournament but managed to beat Nigeria on away goals in the final round of the CAF to book a place this time out. Those two games were actually coach Otto Addo’s first games in charge as an interim manager but his role was upgraded to a permanent one following the success. Although, Ghana have only managed to win once in his tenure with the 4-1 defeat to Japan and a 0-0 draw against Chile in June leaving a bad taste. Addo could only hope his players turn up the occasion from now in a difficult outing against Brazil in which the opposition is expected to dominate large chunks of the game. Keeping the impressive attack and Neymar is a big task for the Black Stars if they are to gain something from the match. Brazil’s back four has been solid as ever so it will be hard to penetrate them as well. But this is the sort of competitiveness Ghana have to live through otherwise spoil for choices in taking the most of their opportunity in the World Cup in a crunching group. However, they have some exciting attacking talents in the squad in the form of Mohammed Kudus and Kamaldeen Sulemana ripping at the club level. They will wish to steal the limelight from the more attention-grabbing talents on the other side of the pitch. The team also have star veterans still capable of making a difference like the Ayew brothers whose experience will be necessary in the World Cup. Certain promising footballers changing their nationality has also helped Ghana because of their experience in playing overseas and on a high level.
Recent Form
BRA: WWWWW
GHA: DLDWD
BRA vs GHA Team News
The major talking point of Brazil’s team selection was the exclusion of now Arsenal man Gabriel Jesus by coach Tite for the pre-World Cup friendlies this month. The 25-year-old is in red hot form for the Gunners scoring four goals and delivering three assists in seven Premier League games since joining them from Manchester City in the summer transfer window. More surprising was Roberto Firmino’s addition to the squad who, despite being in scoring numbers for Liverpool, has not been at his brilliant best for the past couple of seasons. Other forwards like Matheus Cunha and Flamengo’s Pedro made the ranks with Jesus’s teammate at Arsenal Gabriel Martinelli also abruptly not considered while being in stunning form. Due to the depth of the attacking talent in the team, there is no shortage of options to choose from. Left-back Alex Sandro was included in the final squad but had to withdraw because of an injury leading Renan Lodi, recently joined Nottingham Forest on loan from Atletico Madrid, to take his place.
Ghana are blessed by the trio of Inaki Williams, Tariq Lamptey and Mohammed Salisu changing their nationality to compete for the African nation in the friendlies and the World Cup ahead in Qatar after two months. They are in line to make their debuts earning their first international call-ups. Arsenal’s Thomas Partey recovered from his injury to play against Brentford in the Premier League the past weekend and has joined the national team camp to anchor the midfielder. Mohammed Kudus has proven his talent again by playing in an unorthodox number nine position for Ajax, a role he wishes to cherish for the national team as well.
BRA vs GHA Predicted Lineups
BRA: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Renan Lodi; Casemiro, Fred; Raphinha, Neymar Jr, Vinicius Jr; Richarlison
GHA: Richard Ofori; Daniel Amartey, Djiku, Salisu; Lamptey, Idrissu Baba, Thomas Partey, Elisha Owushu; Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Kamaldeen Sulemana
BRA vs GHA Head to Head
Brazil has played Ghana four times in history and has emerged victorious in all of them. The Black Stars have also not managed to score in this meeting in the last three games after doing so in the 8-2 defeat in 1996. The only competitive meeting happened in the 2006 World Cup when Ronaldo Nazario, Adriano and Ze Roberto scored for a comfortable 3-0 win for Brazil to take them to the quarterfinals.
BRA vs GHA Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Alisson (8.5)
DEF: Lamptey (7.5), Marquinhos (7.5), T Silva (7), Salisu (7)
MID: Raphinha (8), Kudus (7.5), Neymar (9)
FW: J Ayew (7.5), Richarlison (7), Vini (9)
Captain: Neymar Jr
Vice-captain: Vinicius Jr
