Brazil head coach Tite has claimed that the secret to his side's success is how well balanced they are.

Addressing reporters in the aftermath of the Selecao's 2-0 victory over Mexico in the last 16 of the World Cup, the former Corinthians boss praised his players for maintaining their form from the group stage.

"Someone had mentioned we are playing more like a club team than a national team and I took that as a compliment, and I told my team about that," he said.

"I expected to repeat the standard of the previous match and if possible, grow. And that happened. And that does not just go for the starting XI, but also the substitutes. I consider the strongest characteristic of our team as balance."

Brazil will take on Belgium, who beat Japan 3-2, in the quarter-finals.

Written by
Mark Langshaw