Pele: England v Brazil worthy of the final

Brazil legend Pele admits that a quarter-final clash between his country and England would be worthy of the final itself.

The two nations are on a collision course after England brushed aside Denmark yesterday and will meet in the last eight if Brazil can defeat Belgium tomorrow.

Pele told the Sunday Times: ‘‘Before the World Cup neither Brazil nor England were favourites to win the tournament, but it now looks like a real possibility that one of them will be in the final.

‘‘It is dangerous to plan too far ahead - nobody expected to see France and Argentina both knocked out in the final round - but I believe Brazil and England will be renewing one the World Cup's great rivalries in the quarter-finals.

‘‘If Brazil beat Belgium tomorrow, the meeting between our two nations will be one of the most outstanding matches in these finals.

‘‘Brazil have won the World Cup four times, England once. Brazil are the greatest nation in World Cup history, England the home of football. This game would be worthy of the final itself.’’