Pele sets Brazil sights on Russia 2018

Brazilian former football star Pele arrives for the inauguration of a football pitch donated by Switzerland's watch company Hublot at Jacarezinho shantytown in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on June 27, 2014. AFP
Brazilian former football star Pele arrives for the inauguration of a football pitch donated by Switzerland's watch company Hublot at Jacarezinho shantytown in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on June 27, 2014. AFP

Brazil legend Pele was quick to cast aside his country's seven-goal rout at Germany's hands on Tuesday, saying the Selecao would deliver in Russia in 2018.

"We'll get the sixth title in Russia. Congratulations to Germany," Pele wrote on his Twitter feed.

"I always said that football is a box of surprises. Nobody in this world expected this result," said Pele, who played in three World Cup-winning Brazil teams.

Brazil had been hoping to extend their record of five wins in the competition.

But, as with their previous hosting in 1950, they failed to land the trophy on home soil as the Germans annihilated them 7-1 in their Belo Horizonte semi-final.