Neymar's tears worry Brazil

Brazil needed injury-time strikes from Philippe Coutinho and Neymar to bring their World Cup campaign back on track with a 2-0 victory against Costa Rica at the Saint Petersburg Stadium yesterday.

The five-time World champions were heading for a second successive draw after their 1-1 stalemate against Switzerland before Coutinho struck in the 91st minute to break a stubborn Costa Rica defence.

If that goal was a big relief for the Selecao, then the second one from Neymar in the last of the six minutes of injury time was a big statement of a strong second-half display.

Brazil coach Tite took a tumble in the technical area while celebrating after Coutinho stabbed home the ball from close range after a cross from the right by Marcelo. And during the post-match briefing the Brazil coach said that he was a bit surprised by his emotional display.

"I could have pulled a muscle; I was limping a bit after that," The Professor told reporters with a big smile on his face.

Coutinho's goal was the reward of constant pressure from Brazil, who seemed destined for another draw when referee Bjorn Kuipers changed a penalty decision in the 78th minute for a foul against Neymar in the forbidden zone after consulting the VAR. It looked like another heartbreak for Brazil fans despite a dazzling second-half display that Tite termed 'a beautiful half' as Brazil created waves of attack.

The Selecao started the game slowly and failed to make any impact in the first 45 minutes apart from a couple of shots by Marcelo from outside the box which missed the mark.

Tite introduced Douglas Costa for Willian at the start of the second half and then brought in Roberto Firmino to give the attack more bite.

And it proved to be a masterstroke.

Brazil found fluidity in attack and the Costa Rica defence started to crack. Their goalkeeper Keylor Navas fisted away a Neymar scorcher over the bar and Gabriel Jesus's header came off the woodwork before that injury-time Coutinho goal sent Brazilian fans into raucous celebration.

The heartening aspect was that Brazil pressed for more after Coutinho's goal in a situation where most teams would have adopted the ploy of time wasting. But in the six odd minutes, they actually kept possession with some slick passing, enterprising dribbling and Neymar's goal to cap it all.

During the post-match session Tite was confronted by the question of whether Brazil would play for a draw against Serbia. He pointed the audience to the way Brazil had played after scoring the first and emphasised on the fact that 'attacking football is in the DNA of this team'.

Brazil, with four points from two games, are now top of Group E by virtue of a superior goal difference to Switzerland. They will take on Serbia, who lost 2-1 to Switzerland later last night, in their final match on June 27. Serbia won their first game against Costa Rica 1-0.

It was Brazil's 10th win from 11 games against Costa Rica, who almost pulled off a sensational draw against their vastly superior South American neighbours. And, despite the defeat, Costa Rica coach Oscar Ramirez said that he was proud of his boys for holding one of the best teams in the world for 90 minutes.

Player of the match Coutinho said that it was a tough match but the intensity and hunger till the end won them the game.

"It was as tough a game as we expected. We showed the patience and intensity till the end and we were rewarded for that. I'm happy to win the man of the match [award] but happier with the result. It was very important for us," said the Barcelona forward.

He also said that he was happy to see Neymar back and scoring.

"We know that Neymar had a difficult injury and he went through a difficult patch. Everybody is so happy for him being back," said Coutinho.

Brazil took a firm step onto the World Cup quarterfinals when they beat Mexico 2-0 at the Samara Arena yesterday.

After an evenly fought first half, Neymar gave the five-time world champions the lead sliding in from close before Roberto Firmino came off the bench to stab in the insurance in the 88th minute. Both goals were scored from five yards, from where it is very hard to miss the target.

The defeat meant Mexico made their exit from the round of 16 for a seventh straight time and despite their magnificent 1-0 win against Germany in the group stage, their dream of a World Cup win against the Selecao remain unfulfilled.

It was a high-quality game and despite playing in searing heat under the spaceship-like giant metal structure, both teams played with pace. 

Interestingly it was Neymar who served the first salvo in the fourth minute of the game. The star striker sent down a scorcher that Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa somehow managed to fist away despite being blind-sighted.

But after that Mexico took the game to the Brazilians with their forwards Carlos Vela and Hirving Lozano, operating wide, simply tore through rightback Fagner, looking like a fish out of water especially against Vela, who frantically switched ends. Vela also forced Filipe Luis to go for a risky tackle and was booked in the 40th minute, which means he will miss the next game as he was already on a yellow card.

Mexico got their first real chance in the 14th minute. Lozano took control of a long ball down the right side in expert fashion before sending a perfect cross but Javier Hernandez was too late in coming through to take advantage.

After absorbing the pressure in the first half, which ended with ball possession evenly split, the men in the gold shirts launched a blistering attack only to be denied by Ochoa, who stood tall under the bar. Neymar broke through the defence but his close-range shot was blocked by Ochoa in the 25th minute. One minute later Coutinho fired a shot from just inside the box over the crossbar. Mexico defender Edson Alvarez brilliantly tackled Neymar in the box, when the Brazilian superstar almost opened up space after being fed by an overlapping Fagner.

Brazil superstar Neymar is the toast of his teammates after he combined with Willian (not pictured) to give the Selecao their opening goal in the World Cup round of 16 clash against Mexico at the Samara Arena yesterday. Photo:Reuters

Ochoa then palmed a Gabriel Jesus shot as both teams headed in to cool their burning feet after a blistering half.

Mexico could have scored early after the break had Jesus Gallardo not fired a left-footer over the bar when he had the better option of feeding Vela.

Brazil finally ended the evening's duck in the 51st minute. Neymar backheeled to Willian on the edge of the Mexico penalty box and continued a curling run into the box. Willian drove through the penalty box and drilled the ball low and hard across the face of goal. Both Jesus and Neymar were chasing it and Neymar got it with a sliding shot.

Brazil were actually hardly troubled by Mexico after the goal and were surging more with Willian operating down the flank brilliantly. Brazil's second goal was a combined effort of two fresh legs and the brilliance of Neymar. Fernandinho, who came in for Paulinho, sent a through ball to Neymar who galloped down the flank before releasing a neat minus which Firmino, coming on as a substitute for Willian, stabbed it from close. It was a tough game for Brazil, who however showed rigidity in defence and the tenacity to withstand pressure, which is a hallmark of a team capable of going all the way.

The only disappointing aspect of the game was yet another Neymar playacting. He screamed in pain when he had a soft touch with Mexico's Miguel Layun in the touchline. Layun was actually trying to collect the ball from Neymar with his hand so that he could take a quick throw. But the way Neymar reacted it was as if he was kicked, which was not the case. He was jeered by the Mexican fans after that, something he can't complain about.

Football superstar Neymar has a torn ligament and meniscus in his left knee and will have to undergo surgery after being injured during Brazil's 2-0 loss to Uruguay, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said Wednesday.

The 31-year-old, who joined Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain in August, was stretchered off in tears just before halftime in Brazil's 2026 World Cup qualifying match in Montevideo Tuesday.

Neymar will undergo surgery for the injuries at a "yet-to-be-determined date," the CBF said, after a series of medical exams on the player in Sao Paulo.

"Brazilian and world football need Neymar healthy and recovered, because football is happier when he's on the pitch," CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues said in a statement.

The CBF said its medical department and Al Hilal are in "constant contact" and "aligned" on helping the striker recover.

Neymar, who overtook Pele as Brazil's all-time top goal scorer last month, twisted his knee in a collision with Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas de la Cruz in stoppage time near the end of the first half.

Carried off on a stretcher, he left the stadium on crutches and wearing a leg brace after the match.

It is the latest in a string of injuries for the star, who underwent surgery in March for an ankle problem that sidelined him for six months.

Fitness problems overshadowed much of his six seasons at PSG, which signed him for a world-record $234 million (222 million euros) in 2017.

He signed for Al Hilal for a reported $95 million in August.

Knee injuries are among the most common -- and serious -- in football.

The CBF said Neymar's injury was to his anterior cruciate ligament, one of the worst of all.

Surgery to repair the condition often takes players out of action for months.

The flags are out, jerseys ready and excitement is at its peak as the world anxiously awaits the FIFA World Cup to kick off in Russia today. It is the tournament where we have the amazing confluence of football's best players coming together in one spot.

Our celebrities, too, are pumped up for the football madness. We caught up with many of them to find out their favourite football memories, and the teams they are supporting or think will win. Predominantly, our stars have their eyes set on two teams:  Brazil and Argentina.

Crowned by fans and critics alike as the “King of Dhaliwood,” Shakib Khan is the model superstar when it comes to the Bangladeshi film industry. Just as he has captured the hearts of millions, there is one football team that has his heart. This year, he hopes that Brazil takes the trophy home. Similarly, star couple Omar Sani and Moushumi are also supporters of Brazil. “I plan to watch the world cup in between shoots with my husband and kids. We want to watch every game – not just the matches of Brazil!” says Moushumi.

Looking back on the days when he used to play football drenched in the rain, actor Mahfuz Ahmed is yet another supporter of Brazil. He says that the world cup season is quite a euphoric time for him. Renowned artistes Afsana Mimi and Shomi Kaiser are also Brazil fans.

On the other hand, Chanchal Chowdhury, who is known among his fans as 'Ayna' or 'Misir Ali' these days, loves Argentina. In his school and college days, Chowdhury often played football. He is excited to bond with his son Shuddho over the world cup this year.

Actor Zahid Hassan has many fond memories of playing football back in his hometown, Sirajganj. He and his wife, renowned model and actor Sadia Islam Mou support Argentina. Likewise, actor Ferdous fell in love with Maradona's style of playing quite early on, and since then, he has been a loyal follower of Argentina.

Popular artistes Monalisa and Zakia Bari Mamo also support Argentina. Mamo, a national award-winning actor, says that she has been a fan of the team since childhood. On the contrary, Shajal says that he will be cheering for Brazil. “I think the Brazilian players are really capable. I trust them fully,” he asserts.

There is another beloved celebrity couple who are on the same side: eminent filmmaker Mustafa Sarwar Farooki and his wife, actor Nusrat Imroz Tisha. Both of them are loyal to Brazil.

Amidst the host of Brazil and Argentina fans, Azizul Hakim has a different viewpoint, as he supports Germany.

Lastly, this world cup seems to be quite disheartening for actor Poppy, as her favourite team, Italy, is not participating. However, she is still really looking forward to the matches. Needless to say, our stars are just as elated as us for the world's most watched sporting event. Let the games begin!

Seventeen-year-old rising star Endrick, hailed as one of Brazilian football's great hopes, got his first call-up for national team duty Monday as coach Fernando Diniz seeks to replace injured star Neymar.

Endrick, who is set to join Real Madrid when he turns 18 in July 2024, could make his senior international debut in Brazil's World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina this month, making him the youngest player to receive a call-up for the Selecao since Ronaldo in 1994.

"He's a player with the potential to be a great talent," Diniz told a news conference, announcing his squad.

"This call-up isn't pressure. It's a reward, and also a look at the future of what the kid can be."

Endrick, reportedly bought by Real Madrid for a 72-million-euro transfer fee, is fresh off scoring a clutch brace as his current club, Palmeiras, came back from three goals down to beat league leaders Botafogo 4-3 on Wednesday.

Five-time World Cup winners Brazil will face Colombia away on November 16 in Barranquilla and arch-rivals Argentina on November 21 at Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana stadium.

Diniz, who won the Copa Libertadores on Saturday in his second job as coach of Rio club Fluminense, largely overhauled Brazil's attack with Neymar sidelined by a knee injury.

Also in line for their senior debuts are Brighton forward Joao Pedro, 22, Atletico Mineiro's Paulinho, 23, and Porto's Pepe, 26.

In a surprise move, Diniz left out Tottenham striker Richarlison, a starter at the 2022 World Cup.

Besides 31-year-old Neymar -- sidelined for several months by a knee injury sustained on October 17 in Brazil's 2-0 loss to Uruguay at their last 2026 World Cup qualifier -- Brazil will also be missing their captain, Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, ruled out for several weeks with a hamstring injury.