Van Gaal wants top billing

Netherlands and Chile have already punched their tickets to the knockout round at the World Cup but each country is desperate to claim a good result as they square off today (kick-off 5pm) in Sao Paulo.

Neither wants to finish second in Group B, because that is likely to set up a meeting with Brazil in the last 16.

“If I could choose, I hope not to have to play against Brazil, although Croatia and Mexico are not bad teams either,” Dutch coach Louis van Gaal said.

Both the Dutch and Chile have six points from two games. To avoid the Brazilians, the Dutch need at least a point to finish top.

Van Gaal added: “We want to finish first and that is going to be especially hard against Chile. I knew beforehand they would be our most difficult rival because they are impressive.”

Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli’s says his team will go all out for the win. “This is a final for Chile,” he said. “We want to win the group. We are going to try to play with the best possible team to finish top of the pool.”

Netherlands captain Robin van Persie will miss the game through suspension and will be replaced by Dirk Kuyt.