Brazil receive huge fitness boost ahead of Belgium clash

Brazil head coach Tite has confirmed that Marcelo has returned to full fitness ahead of Friday's World Cup quarter-final versus Belgium.

The left-back suffered a back spasm during the opening ten minutes of the final group stage game versus Serbia and he was thereafter replaced by Felipe Luis, who also begun the round of 16 game versus Mexico.

Speaking ahead of the Belgium clash, Tite confirmed that Marcelo will return to the mix for the quarter-final showdown, although he acknowledged that Luis 'played well' during his compatriot's absence, he said: "Marcelo is coming back [but] Filipe Luis played well in the two matches."

Both Brazil and Belgium have showcased their attacking talents during the opening two rounds of the World Cup but their defensive strengths are likely to come to test in the crunch knockout clash.

The Selecao come into the game on the back of three successive clean sheets whilst Belgium have restricted their opponents from scoring on two occasions at the World Cup.