Scolari backing big names

Scolari's Brazilians have qualified with ease

Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari believes key rivals Argentina, Italy and even France will join his team in the World Cup second round.

His bold prediction came after Brazil secured a place in the last 16 courtesy of a 1-1 draw Sunday between Group C rivals Costa Rica and Turkey.

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"We have completed our first goal. We have made our first steps but there are still many steps on the road to the final," he said.

Brazil are now many people's favourites for the title after first round stumbles by France, Argentina and Italy.

Costa Rica's fiery draw with Turkey confirmed Brazil's qualification

Defending champions France lost to Senegal, Argentina lost to England and Italy went down 2-1 to Croatia.

But Scolari thinks all three teams have what it takes to make the second round.

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"I think France, Argentina and Italy will all qualify," he said at the Brazilian team hotel in Ulsan.

"I think tradition, quality, the difficulties they had in the first two games will give them determination for the third match and I think all three will move to the next round."

Confidence in Brazil is growing. An opinion poll carried out by the Folha de Sao Paulo daily newspaper has 57% of people saying that Brazil will win an unprecedented fifth title.