Brazil firm as bookmakers' favourites for World Cup

KAZAN, Russia (Reuters) - Brazil 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 quarter-finals on Monday.

(Reuters)

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.

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:

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

(Source: William Hill)

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Ken Ferris)