Brazil without Neymar as Portugal Targets World Cup Final 16
Brazil will face Switzerland without Neymar, their injured star forward. Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to lead Portugal to the 16th place in Qatar.
Brazil, five-time world champions, could qualify for the knockout stage with a win against the Swiss. This depends on the outcome of the early game between Serbian and Cameroon.
Brazil opened their campaign in Qatar by beating Serbia in Group G 2-0. However, Neymar left with a bruised ankle and limped off.
Marquinhos, Brazil’s centre-back, said that Marquinhos was upset at the loss and was still sad after the game.
“Now, after the tests, he is doing 24 hour physiotherapy, which shows how much his desire to be with us again.
“We don’t know the exact date, but we’re hoping it’s soon.”
Ronaldo was the first man to score in five World Cups, after converting a disputed penalty during Portugal’s opening 3-2 win over Ghana in Group A.
The Portuguese will qualify to the second round if Uruguay defeats them at the Lusail Stadium. This stadium will host the final December 18.
Danilo Pereira is out of the remaining group stage. He fractured three ribs while training. Pepe, 39, will likely be in defence.
This would make him the second oldest player in outfield to play in a World Cup match. He is only one behind Roger Milla of Cameroon.
Cameroon lost their first game to Switzerland. They will now try to bounce back against Serbia. FIFA is investigating after they hung a flag that depicted Kosovo in their changing rooms before losing to Brazil.
Paulo Bento, South Korea’s coach, says that the team will have a “different Son Heung-min” against Ghana. This is after the forward had to get used to wearing a mask in their 0-0 draw against Uruguay.
Son underwent surgery earlier in the month to fix a fracture in his left eye that he sustained while playing for Tottenham Hotspur.
“First, he must feel at ease both with his teammates as well as with the opposition. Bento said that the second game would be different.
Germany had a chance to qualify for the 16th round after Niclas Fuellkrug, a substitute, scored a late equaliser and earned a 1-1 draw against Spain.
Alvaro Morata had given Spain the lead in the 62nd minute during a tight meeting at Al Bayt Stadium. This was between two World Cup winners.
Germany must have been worried about a second successive group-stage exit after their shock loss to Japan in the first game.
Even before Spain was held, the Germans were assisted by Costa Rica. They bounced back from Spain’s 7-0 defeat and beat Japan 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored by Keysher Fuller, a Defender.
This means that Group E is well-positioned. Germany could still win if they defeat the Costa Ricans on Thursday, and Spain avoids defeat to Japan.
Manuel Neuer, Germany captain, stated that “the important thing is that we are still alive.”
Belgium’s chances at qualifying from Group F were thwarted by a surprising 2-0 defeat to Morocco.
Belgium’s victory would have seen them reach the knockout stage, but Romain Saissy and Zakaria Aboukhlal’s goals in the final stages secured Morocco’s first World Cup win for 24 years.
“We are not playing with joy. Roberto Martinez, a coach in Belgium, said that it could be the weight on their shoulders.
Alphonso Davies scored in the second Group F game against Croatia, just two minutes before Canada’s 2018 beaten finalist romped to a victory of 4-1.
To reach the 16th round, Croatia must draw with Belgium on Thursday. However, the Belgians need to defeat them in order to ensure they are through.
Morocco will be confident that Canada will take a point to get into the second phase. Canada will not be participating in the game because they are embarrassed.
