BRAZIL suffered a shock defeat to Cameroon in their final group fixture – but boss Tite will be delighted to see Neymar on the road to recovery.
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar suffered ankle ligament damage inBrazil's opening game against Serbia which fans feared would rule him out of the whole tournament.
But a video went viral last night of the Brazilian magician doing some muscle work in the gym – trying to regain fitness for the knock-out stages.
One side that will not be in the last-16 is Uruguay having lost out to South Korea on goal difference and forward Edison Cavani took out his frustration by PUNCHING a VAR monitor after the game.
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Stay tuned with all the latest ahead from tournament…
- Kiro Evans
Latest from Qatar
Knockout football arrives in Qatar today.
Holland open the round of 16 against the USA at 3pm and Argentina take on Australia four hours later.
England boss Gareth Southgate is pondering his attacking options for tomorrow's clash with Senegal.
Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden destroyed Wales when stepping in for Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka.
Southgate's other main selection dilemma might be over midfielder Jordan Henderson, who drove the Three Lions forward against the Dragons after starting ahead of the more attack-minded Mason Mount.
Switzerland became the final team to qualify for the KO stages as they clung to a 3-2 victory over Serbia last night.
That gave the Swiss runners-up spot in Group G behind Brazil, who were shock 1-0 losers to Cameroon.
The much-changed Brazilians gave starts to Arsenal duo Gabriel Jesus and the impressive Gabriel Martinelli.
But Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar headed a spectacular stoppage-time winner – only to whip off his top and earn a second yellow card.
In other words, in the space of seconds, he single-handedly gave Cameroon hope of the goal spree they needed to overhaul Switzerland and then took it away.
In Group H, South Korea joined Portugal in the last 16 with a last-gasp 2-1 triumph over Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.
It left Luis Suarez in tears as Uruguay needed one more goal to overhaul the Koreans than the 2-0 victory over Ghana they achieved.
Off the field, Brazil are increasingly-confident Neymar will return following an ankle-ligament injury.
And France face a left-back injury crisis as Theo Hernandez is reportedly a doubt for tomorrow's clash with Poland.
- Ian Tuckey
Brazil and Cameroon in last 16
Cameroon’s first World Cup victory since 2002 – and a famous last-gasp one over tournament favourites Brazil – was not enough to put them through.
Switzerland joined Brazil in the last 16 after clinging on to a thrilling 3-2 victory against Serbia.
Cameroon 1 Brazil 0 – match reaction on our blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 3 – match reaction on our blog
- Ian Tuckey
Neymar boost for World Cup favourites
Brazil are hoping to get their talisman Neymar back in action as soon as possible, and have a posted a morale-boosting clip of him in training for the Samba faithful.
Neymar suffered ankle ligament damage in the opening game against Serbia.
And with fears mounting that he may in fact be out for the remainder of the World Cup, Brazil posted a video of him in training in order to try and ease these fears.
The video shows Neymar, 30, in the gym doing on-the-ball drills while putting weight on his ankle and doing muscle work.
Later in the video, he can also be seen doing some jumping drills as he steps up his recovery.
The post itself is captioned: “Neymar Jr is working hard alongside the national team’s physical trainers to return to training with the group as soon as possible and be available to coach Tite.
“Today he trained at the gym! Let’s go, Ney!
“Danilo and Alex Sandro also made individual works.”
- Ian Tuckey
Granit 'a master of dark arts'
Arsenal's Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka has been labelled a "mentality monster" after getting under the skin of the ENTIRE Serbia bench.
Xhaka helped the Swiss reach the World Cup last 16 with a 3-2 win and caused a raucous after making a gesture towards the Serbia bench.
With Switzerland holding on during the second half, he gestured towards the bench by grabbing his NUTS.
This act echoed Dusan Vlahovic who scored in the first half and celebrated by grabbing his nuts to hit back at claims he had an affair with a team-mate's wife.
Serbia's camp did not take it well, and stormed onto the pitch to create a melee in the middle of the heated exchange.
The game ended with an astonishing 11 yellow cards from both sides, with Serbia picking up five in total after Xhaka's gesture.
- Ian Tuckey
Came-moon shock
A Cameroon medic suffered an unwanted wardrobe malfunction during the historic win over Brazil.
They unfortunately showed off more than they would have wanted to while treating right-back Collins Fai.
Fai, 30, needed treatment in the 39th minute as he battled to keep Arsenal ace Gabriel Martinelli quiet on Brazil's left.
Cameroon's medics rushed onto the pitch to tend to the stricken defender.
They managed to patch up Fai, who played all 90 minutes as Cameroon pulled off one of the greatest results in their history to beat tournament favourites Brazil 1-0.
But one of the doctors accidentally showed off more than they bargained for as they knelt down to treat Fai.
They unknowingly exposed the top of their backside – sending social media wild in the process.
One Twitter user predicted: "That Cameroon medic about to become a meme." Another said: "Omg, that Cameroon Medic staff member forgot there are cameras around." A third joked: "Cameroon's football medic mooning billions of people is going to be the next meme."
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners 'set for more Torres talks'
Arsenal are expected to hold more talks with Facundo Torres’ representatives after Uruguay exited the World Cup.
The Gunners are said to have made approaches for the Orlando City winger, 22, last month.
Arsenal chief Mikel Arteta reportedly visited Florida this autumn but it's not clear if this had anything to do with Torres.
- Ian Tuckey
I'm Evra Su sorry… not really!
Patrice Evra revelled in Luis Suarez's World Cup heartbreak as he LIKED an Instagram photo of the Uruguay striker sobbing.
Suarez couldn't hold back the tears after his side were dramatically knocked out of the tournament on goals scored.
Hwang Hee-chan's last gasp 91st minute winner for South Korea against Portugal sent Suarez and Co home early.
The South Americans beat Ghana 2-0 but went out at the group stages on the same amount of points as South Korea, having scored two less goals.
While Suarez's team-mates reacted angrily to the defeat, including Edinson Cavani punching the VAR monitor, the 36-year-old started sobbing after hearing news of Hwang's late winner for South Korea.
And Manchester United legend Evra, 41, didn't seem to mind the result too much.
Evra liked a post from Instagram account 433 of Suarez in tears at full-time.
Suarez was banned for eight matches and fined £40,000 by the FA in 2011 after being found guilty of racially abusing Evra while playing for Liverpool.
He denied the allegations.
Suarez then famously refused to shake Evra's hand when he returned from his ban.
- Ian Tuckey
You've got the date Ron
Manchester United fans will still see Cristiano Ronaldo in 2023 — in the official club calendar.
The Portugal hitman’s exit last month was too late for him to be replaced as Mr January in the merchandise.
It has left the £10.99 product — “perfect for any Manchester United fan with images of players from the current squad” — badly out of date.
Ronaldo, 37, and United settled on a “mutually agreed” split after he slammed the club in an interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV.
During it he had said he had “no respect” for manager Erik ten Hag.
The club is now trying to cash in on what is left of their Ronaldo stock at knockdown prices.
T-shirts costing £20 and £10 mugs are now a fiver.
A keyring that cost £5 is now £2 in the club shop and also online.
Ronaldo, currently starring for Portugal at the World Cup in Qatar, is tipped to sign with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia in a £173million deal including wages and other endorsements.
- Ian Tuckey
Theo woe as France face left-back crisis
France face a left-back injury crisis as Theo Hernandez is reportedly in doubt for this weekend's action.
The winners face England or Serbia in the quarter-finals.
And Football-Italia report that Hernandez, 25, has picked up an ankle injury in training.
The AC Milan left-back missed training with his national team in Qatar on Friday.
He was promoted into the first team after his brother Lucas suffered a serious knee injury.
His sibling tore his ACL in France's opening game against Australia.
This means that Didier Deschamps could be without a natural left-sided full-back for Sunday's clash.
Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga played there against Tunisia on Wednesday in their final Group D game.
Les Bleus had already qualified so it is unknown if Deschamps was trying Camavinga at left-back with one eye on the knockout stages.
- Ian Tuckey
Brazil and Cameroon in last 16
Cameroon's first World Cup victory since 2002 – and a famous last-gasp one over tournament favourites Brazil – was not enough to put them through.
Switzerland joined Brazil in the last 16 after clinging on to a thrilling 3-2 victory against Serbia.
Cameroon 1 Brazil 0 – match reaction on our blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 3 – match reaction on our blog
- Ian Tuckey
Aboubakar sees red for celebrating goal
Vincent Aboubakar brilliantly headed Cameroon in front – but picked up a second yellow for taking his shirt off to celebrate.
Going down to ten men surely undermines the stoppage-time pressure Cameroon needed to apply in search of a couple more goals.
But it's still left Switzerland sweating – to hold onto their lead.
The Swiss currently are level with Brazil on six points – two ahead of Cameroon.
Cameroon 1 Brazil 0 – match reaction on our blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 3 – match reaction on our blog
- Ian Tuckey
Swiss go close…Cameroon take lead
Switzerland seem on course to join Brazil in the last 16 – as they hold on to their lead against Serbia with seven minutes of stoppage time to come.
And Cameroonwent in front early in seven minutes of stoppage time – but need another goal.
Cameroon 1 Brazil 0 – match reaction on our blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 3 – match reaction on our blog
- Ian Tuckey
Grim arrival for German flops
Germany's World Cup flops landed back in Munich after a dismal campaign in Qatar.
Hansi Flick's side were knocked out at the group stages for a second consecutive tournament.
Their 4-2 win over Costa Rica on Thursday wasn't enough to make it to the last 16 after Japan's highly controversial win over Spain.
And the Germans were quick to head home after their nightmare campaign.
They landed back in Munich on Friday looking glum following their group stage exit.
Captain Manuel Neuer donned a red beanie after arriving back in the cold from the Qatar desert.
Thomas Muller was also seen wheeling his suitcase after landing back at arrivals earlier than anticipated.
The 33-year-old may have played in his World Cup, having hinted at retirement after the early exit.
Muller said: "If that was my last game for Germany, a few words to the German fans: It was a tremendous pleasure.
"Thank you very much. I always tried to show heart on the pitch. Sometimes there were tears of joy, sometimes pain.
"I did it with love. I need to think about everything else now."
The same can possibly be said for Neuer, who will be 40 by the time of the next tournament.
Irrespective of this, the club should also attempt to land Felix this winter. They can not afford to wait until the summer with Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain also keen.
- Ian Tuckey
Brazil turn up the pressure
Brazil almost went in front three times amid frenetic spells in the Cameroon area.
Cameroon 0 Brazil 0 – match blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 3 – match blog
- Ian Tuckey
GOAL: Serbia 2 Switzerland 3
Remo Freuler drilled the Swiss in front for the second time in a real thriller, firing a left-footer into the bottom right corner.
And Cameroon came so close to taking the lead against Brazil.
Vincent Aboubakar sent keeper Ederson scrambling to divert the ball away.
Cameroon 0 Brazil 0 – match blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 3 – match blog
- Ian Tuckey
S/h under way…
Cameroon and Serbia NEED GOALS.
And Cameroon won an instant corner amid their bright start to the second period.
Cameroon 0 Brazil 0 – match blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 2 – match blog
- Ian Tuckey
Neymar boost for World Cup favourites
Brazil are hoping to get their talisman Neymar back in action as soon as possible, and have a posted a morale-boosting clip of him in training for the Samba faithful.
Neymar suffered ankle ligament damage in the opening game against Serbia.
And with fears mounting that he may in fact be out for the remainder of the World Cup, Brazil posted a video of him in training in order to try and ease these fears.
The video shows Neymar, 30, in the gym doing on-the-ball drills while putting weight on his ankle and doing muscle work.
Later in the video, he can also be seen doing some jumping drills as he steps up his recovery.
The post itself is captioned: "Neymar Jr is working hard alongside the national team's physical trainers to return to training with the group as soon as possible and be available to coach Tite.
"Today he trained at the gym! Let's go, Ney!
"Danilo and Alex Sandro also made individual works."
- Ian Tuckey
All square at the break in both matches
Brazil will be joined by Switzerland in the last 16 – if the scores stay the same.
Cameroon 0 Brazil 0 – match blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 2 – match blog
- Ian Tuckey
GOAL: Serbia 2 Switzerland 2
Breel Embolo levelled for Switzerland on 44 minutes in a real topsy-turvy contest.
That puts the Swiss back over Serbia into second place in the group.
Cameroon are looking lively in the other match – and nearly went in front on the stroke of half-time, Ederson flying sideways to brilliantly tip over a Mbeumo header.
H/t: Cameroon 0 Brazil 0 – match blog
H/t: Serbia 2 Switzerland 2 – match blog
- Ian Tuckey
GOAL: Serbia 2 Switzerland 1
Dusan Vlahovic's smart left-foot drive put Serbia in front on 35 minutes after they had trailed.
And it means they leapfrog the Swiss into second place in the group.
Aleksandar Mitrovic's brilliant header had cancelled out Xherdan Shaqiri's opener for Switzerland.
Caneroon are having a real go in the other game – after the much-changed Brazilians bossed it earlier on and have still had most of the better chances.
Cameroon 0 Brazil 0 – match blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 1 – match blog
- Ian Tuckey
GOALS! Serbia 1 Switzerland 1
Swiss playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri pounced for the 20th minute breakthrough – to leave Serbia and Cameroon needing a mountain to qualify.
But Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic levelled seven minutes later.
The other game, Cameroon vs Brazil, is more open but goalless – with the Brazilians on top.
Cameroon 0 Brazil 0 – match blog
Serbia 1 Switzerland 1 – match blog
- Ian Tuckey
All is almost nothing
Germany's World Cup campaign in Qatar will be made into an Amazon All or Nothing documentary.
But football fans have joked cameras won't have filmed enough for a full six-part series after their embarrassing group stage exit.
Hansi Flick's side have failed to make the World Cup knockout rounds for a second consecutive tournament.
After a shock loss to Japan, a draw against Spain and a win over Costa Rica weren't enough to send Germany through.
It was revealed in September that Amazon cameras would be given access all areas to their campaign in Qatar.
The four-time winners were aiming to bounce back from a disappointing campaign in Russia four years ago.
But instead of a record equalling fifth triumph, Die Mannschaft are heading home early again.
And fans have been quick to joke about the documentary, which is set to be released in Spring 2023.
One wrote on Twitter: "Wait I swear Germany were doing an all or nothing documentary about their World Cup journey… awks."
Another joked: "That Germany All or Nothing Documentary on @PrimeVideo will be the shortest ever."
- Ian Tuckey
Wait Kor it….
It took nearly TEN minutes of excruciating wait after full-time for South Korea to celebrate qualification to the World Cup knockouts.
Hwang Hee-chan’s dramatic injury-time winner saw the Koreans through ahead of Uruguay on goals SCORED.
But they had to wait for the South Americans to complete added time in their game with Ghana before they could let themselves party.
They waited with bated breath in the centre circle as coaches streamed the other Group H game.
Rivals Uruguay won 2-0 in the simultaneous match but Son and his pals squeaked into the knockout stage on goals scored on another Qatar evening of last-gasp football.
And they threw drinks in the air and bounced up and down, ecstatic with the result.
The Koreans finished second behind group winners Portugal who were already assured of qualification before the match.
Fans loved it on social media as the drama unfolded and Korea headed to the Last 16.
One joked: "That one guy with the good cell service". Another added: "Absolutely incredible. South Korea with a 91st minute winner to go through and send Uruguay home. What a World Cup."
- Ian Tuckey
Teams – Cameroon vs Brazil, 7pm kick-off
Arsenal duo Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus come in as 100% group leaders Brazil rest stars.
Cameroon could go through if they win.
Cameroon: 16. Epassy, 19. Fai Collins, 4. Wooh, 24. Ebosse, 25. Tolo, 8. Anguissa, 15. Kunde, 20. Mbeumo, 13. Choupo-Moting, 6. Ngamaleu, 10. Aboubakar
Brazil: 3. Ederson, 14. Militao, 24. Bremer, 16. Alex Telles, 15. Fabinho, 8. Fred, 19. Antony, 21. Rodrygo, 26. Martinelli, 18. Gabriel Jesus
- Ian Tuckey
Teams – Serbia vs Switzerland, 7pm kick-off
It's been called a grudge match by some.
But most of the pressure is on Serbia – as they have just one point from their two earlier games so need to win to have any chance.
Switzerland will go through with a draw – unless Cameroon topple Brazil in the other match
Serbia (3-4-1-2): 23 V Milinkovic-Savic; 4 Milenkovic, 5 Veljkovic, 2 Pavlovic; 14 Zivkovic, 20 S Milinkovic-Savic, 16 Lukic, 17 Kostic; 10 Tadic; 9 A Mitrovic, 18 Vlahovic
Switzerland (4-2-3-1): 21 Kobel; 3 Widmer, 5 Akanji, 22 Schar, 13 Rodriguez; 8 Freuler, 10 Xhaka; 23 Shaqiri, 15 Sow, 17 Vargas; 7 Embolo
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