Neymar may make his return to the World Cup stage on Monday as Brazil proceed their bid to be topped kings for a record-extending sixth time in opposition to South Korea. Celebrity ahead Neymar has been absent for Brazil since spraining his ankle in his workforce’s opening Group G win in opposition to Serbia final month and their supporters have been sweating on his health ever since. Coach Tite mentioned Neymar can be assessed in Brazil’s closing pre-game coaching session on Sunday, however gave a heavy trace that the Paris Saint-Germain attacker would begin.
“He will practice this afternoon and if he is OK, he’ll play tomorrow,” Tite informed reporters.
His return can be a giant increase as Brazil have scored simply as soon as since Neymar fell foul to his ankle harm and on Saturday misplaced Arsenal ahead Gabriel Jesus for the remainder of the World Cup.
South Korea famously reached the semi-finals 20 years in the past when the event was shared between their nation and Japan, who’re additionally in motion on Monday in opposition to Croatia.
The Koreans haven’t reached the knockout levels since 2010 and solely received to the final 16 in Qatar because of an injury-time winner from Hwang Hee-chan of their closing group recreation in opposition to Portugal.
They may want a special efficiency to the one in June’s pleasant between the 2 groups, when Brazil romped to a 5-1 victory with Neymar scoring two penalties.
“We have now good recollections of 2002, of creating it to the final 4 and we wish to relive that,” mentioned Korea midfielder Kim Jin-su, who was 10 years outdated at the moment.
“We have waited so lengthy to come back to this knockout stage and all of us really wished to come back this far.”
Japan veteran Yuto Nagatomo mentioned his facet will once more present the world their samurai spirit of their conflict with unbeaten Croatia, after having already surprised Germany and Spain on their method to topping Group E.
“Earlier than battle, the samurai would polish their weapons and refine their approach, but when they had been scared in battle, all that may depend for nothing,” the previous Inter Milan left-back mentioned Sunday.
“A very powerful factor is to have braveness.”
Mbappe shines, England cruise
Kylian Mbappe was the star of the present once more for France with an excellent brace which sunk Poland 3-1 and gave the world champions a mouthwatering last-eight showdown with England, straightforward 3-0 winners over Senegal.
Paris Saint-Germain famous person Mbappe rifled dwelling two blistering second-half strikes after his veteran striker companion Olivier Giroud grew to become France’s all-time main scorer along with his 52nd objective for his nation simply earlier than half-time.
Mbappe known as the World Cup his “obsession” after his match-winning efficiency, which took his tally to a tournament-leading 5 and likewise included an help for Giroud’s record-breaking opener.
“The one goal for me is to win the World Cup,” mentioned the 23-year-old.
“That’s what I’m dreaming of. I did not come right here to win the Golden Ball (for finest participant). That’s not why I’m right here. I’m right here to win and assist the French nationwide workforce.”
France will face England on Saturday on the Al Bayt Stadium, the place Gareth Southgate’s workforce strolled previous Senegal in a efficiency filled with positives, not least the type of teen sensation Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham, 19, arrange Jordan Henderson’s opener and the Borussia Dortmund midfielder was concerned once more when England captain Kane bagged his first objective on this World Cup and overtook Gary Lineker as England’s all-time high scorer in main tournaments.
Bukayo Saka dinked dwelling England’s third within the 57th minute to safe a cushty win and arrange an enormous tie with one of many pre-tournament favourites.
“We’ll take pleasure in this one however then our focus turns to that, it may be a very robust recreation,” mentioned captain Kane. “They’re reigning champions but it surely’s battle.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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