Brazil to host Chile at Allianz Parque as Maracana ruled out

Rupert Fryer

Brazil to host Chile at Allianz Parque as Maracana ruled out image

The Brazilian Confederation confirmed Wednesday that the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Chile will be played at Allianz Parque, the home of Sao Paulo giants Palmeiras.

Brazil coach Tite and his staff had hoped to play the game at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. 


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But the CBF has ruled out the possibility of staging the game at the iconic stadium after failing to reach an agreement with local stadium management.

Rio’s Nilton Santos stadium was also an option for the match on October 10, but CBF officials decided against it as the venue failed to attract a major attendance for January’s friendly international against Colombia, which was staged to raise funds for victims of the Chapecoense air disaster.

That means Brazil will end their qualifying campaign without playing a single match in the country's former capital.

It will be the second time that the Selecao will play in Sao Paulo in this qualification process, have defeated Paraguay 3-0 at the Corinthians Arena in March.

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October’s match versus Chile will be the second time the Selecao have played at Allianz Parque, having beat Mexico 2-0 at the stadium in June 2015 thanks to goals from Philppe Coutinho and Diego Tardelli.

Brazil have already secured qualification for World Cup 2018. They were defeated 2-0 by Chile in Santiago when the two sides met earlier in World Cup 2018 qualifying.

Rupert Fryer