BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) — Brazil defender David Luiz will play in Saturday’s second round match against Chile at the World Cup despite a back injury that forced him out of the team’s training session two days ago.
Luiz participated in part of the team’s practice on Friday before undergoing an MRI scan to find out the extent of the injury. The Brazilian federation said nothing serious was detected, but he would remain undergoing treatment until just before the match.
Fernandinho is starting in Brazil’s midfield instead of Paulinho. Fernandinho came on as a halftime substitute in Brazil’s last group match against Cameroon, setting up a goal and scoring another in the 4-1 win in Fortaleza.
Central defender Gary Medel and midfielder Arturo Vidal will both start for Chile despite injury problems.
Vidal, who had knee surgery last month and hurt his right Achilles tendon in Brazil, was benched in Chile’s previous match against Netherlands. Medel has been troubled by a muscle injury.
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Lineups:
Brazil: Julia Cesar; Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo; Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho, Oscar; Hulk, Fred, Neymar.
Chile: Claudio Bravo; Mauricio Isla, Gary Medel, Eugenio Mena, Francisco Silva, Gonzalo Jara; Arturo Vidal, Marcelo Diaz, Charles Aranguiz; Alexis Sanchez, Eduardo Vargas.
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