Brazil's win against Mexico in the FIFA World Cup 2016 Round of 16 match on Monday has made them the bookmakers' favourites to win the title. They firmed up to 3-1 favourites to win the World Cup for the sixth time after goals from Neymar and Roberto Firmino secured a 2-0 win over Mexico and a place in the quarterfinals.
France, 4-3 winners over Argentina on Saturday, remained 7-2 chances ahead of Belgium, who came in to 5-1 after rallying from two goals down to beat Japan 3-2 on Monday and set up a last eight contest against the Brazilians in Kazan.most
England, who play their last 16 match against Colombia on Tuesday, were back out to 6-1 along with Croatia, who needed penalties to get past Denmark on Sunday.
Hosts Russia, who face the Croats in the quarter-finals, remain long shots at 20-1 despite beating former world champions Spain on penalties in the last 16.
Latest odds to win the World Cup (Source: William Hill):
3-1 Brazil
7-2 France
5-1 Belgium
6-1 England, Croatia
14-1 Uruguay
20-1 Colombia, Russia
33-1 Switzerland
40-1 Sweden
While Brazil didn't look in full form on Monday, the tournament favourites progressed with relative comfort in the end avoiding the early exit that has already befallen the likes of Spain, Germany, Portugal and Argentina.
World No. 3 Belgium edged past Japan in the dying moments of a five-goal thriller, completing a comeback from a two-goal deficit.
Substitute Nacer Chadli scored in the 94th minute of injury time to overturn yet another upset in the World Cup, after the Red Devils had nullified Japan's two-goal lead through Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini, becoming the first team to come from two goals down in a World Cup knockout game since West Germany knocked out England in 1970.
(With Reuters inputs)
