Updated: Monday June 17, 2002 12:27 AM ET	Mon June 17 Games Brazil 2 Belgium 0 - FINAL Mexico 0 United States 2 - FINAL
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Belgium vs. Brazil

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KOBE, Japan (Ticker) -- Placed in the potentially detrimental role as favorite to lift the World Cup, Brazil looks to post a third victory in its fourth all-time matches against Belgium on Monday, when the nations square of in the round of 16.

Former favorites France and Argentina already crashed out in the first round, while anticipated Group D front-runner Portugal also has headed home earlier than expected.

The Brazilians must deal with the newly raised expectations.

"We have to go about being favorites in the right, positive way," said Brazil goalkeeper Marcos, who is playing in his first World Cup. "We can't lose our concentration because of the other people's attention over us."

Cafu, the Brazilian captain, believes overconfidence will not be an issue.

"I'm not surprised by these elimination's because the football has evolved a lot," he said. "We have to learn from this and play with much humbleness."

Brazil's 5-2 rout of Costa Rica put the "Samba Boys" alongside Spain as the only sides to reach the knockout stage with a perfect 3-0 record. But however impressive they looked offensively, there are plenty of improvements to be made in their traditionally suspect defense.

Despite Brazil's perfect record thus far, Turkey and Costa Rica managed to exploit the South Americans' defensive holes, scoring two goals apiece. But as is often the case, if this Brazilian side scores more goals than it concedes, than that will get the job done.

Belgium's lone win against Brazil came in 1963, when the European side posted a 5-1 rout. However, Brazil returned the favor two years later with a 5-0 drubbing. In their last confrontation in 1988, Brazil edged Belgium, 2-1.

The South Americans head into their encounter with Belgium with a 10-game unbeaten streak.

This Brazil side drawing many comparisons to the 1982 edition, which featured such stars as Zico, Socrates, Cerezo and Falcao. Only needing a tie against Italy to reach the semifinals, Brazil kept attacking despite being knotted at 2-2 with 22 minutes left. Italy's Paolo Rossi completed his hat trick, Brazil went out and the Azzurri went on to win the World Cup.

The lone country to have won four World Cups, Brazil scored 11 goals in group play to share the tournament lead with Germany.

Ronaldo, the 25-year-old superstar striker who appears to be back to his old form after enduring lengthy absences due to injury, already has scored four goals.

The 1996 and 1997 FIFA World Player of the Year has promised to score in every match Brazil plays in the tournament. So far, he has delivered.

Teammate Rivaldo, a superstar in his own right and the 1999 FIFA World Player of the Year, collected a goal and two assists against Costa Rica.

Brazil wisely rested starters Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho and Roque Junior in the Costa Rica game. All three scored in the opening two matches and only can have benefited from a game off after a long European club season.

Belgium was not nearly as impressive in advancing from Group H as Brazil was in Group C play. Despite competing in perhaps the weakest of the eight first-round groups, Belgium reached the knockout stages, where anything can happen.

Belgium is capable of shutting down opponents with its offside trap and clogging the midfield to disrupt attacking moves.

Belgium played to a pair of ties its first two games, 2-2 with co-host Japan and a disappointing 1-1 tie against Tunisia. But the team performed better in the clinching 3-2 win over Russia.

Marc Wilmots has been Belgium's best player, scoring three goals, including the eventual game-winner against Russia. The galvanizing force in Belgium's offense, the 33-year-old Schalke 04 veteran needs to maintain his form if Belgium is to have a chance of recording an upset.

Belgium's 2001 Footballer of the Year, Wesley Sonck got himself involved and on the scoring board at a crucial time in the tournament. Sonck, who does not have much international experience and played only 68 minutes in the first two games, scored his third goal for his country and first at the World Cup. The 23-year-old captured the scoring title in the Belgian League playing for Racing Genk.