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Diego Maradona doubts Brazil World Cup bid

Brazil need to improve on their recent performances if they are to lift the World Cup, according to Diego Maradona.

Argentina legend Diego Maradona has claimed that Brazil do not look like potential winners of this summer's World Cup.

The Selecao have so far coped with the pressure of being the host nation, holding their nerve to beat Chile in a penalty shootout to seal a quarter-final clash with Colombia in Fortaleza tonight.

Neymar has struck four times in as many games for the South American giants thus far, but Maradona believes that deficiencies in midfield and defence may hinder Brazil in their pursuit of a sixth world title.

"Except for a few moments of brilliance from Neymar, Brazil have not looked like potential champions," he told The Times of India.

"It was said that their defence is one of the best. Stoppers Thiago Silva and David Luiz, wing-backs Daniel Alves and Marcelo, with [Luiz] Gustavo and Paulinho as additional cover in midfield would not concede many goals.

"After three in four matches and many nervous moments in front of the goalmouth, this opinion has to change."

Tonight's clash with Colombia kicks off at 9pm.

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James Rodriguez of Colombia celebrates scoring his team's second goal and his second of the game with teammates Jackson Martinez and Teofilo Gutierrez during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil round of 16 match between Colombia and Uruguay at Maracana on June
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