Neymar and Brazil arrive in Russia

Neymar's injury troubles resurfaced on Wednesday as he limped off just 30 minutes into Santos' match against Atlético Mineiro with a suspected hamstring problem.

The 33-year-old was visibly emotional before being stretchered off at Vila Belmiro, replaced in the 34th minute with Santos 2-0 up.

It was Neymar's first start since a left thigh issue ruled him out of Brazil's March fixtures and Santos' Paulista semi-final defeat to Corinthians. That injury followed a lengthy layoff from an ACL and meniscus tear suffered in October 2023.

Having rejoined Santos in January as a free agent after cutting ties with Al Hilal -- where he played just seven times in 18 months due to persistent injuries -- questions will now mount over whether the forward was rushed back too soon.

Brazil's new manager, Carlo Ancelotti, on Monday ruled injury-plagued Neymar out from the line-up for the next two World Cup qualifiers, on the Italian's first day as Selecao coach.

"I'm very proud to lead the best team in the world. I have a big job ahead of me and have great hope that Brazil will become champions again," the former Real Madrid manager said in Rio de Janeiro, where he was officially presented as coach of the five-time World Cup winners.

It was the morning after the night before for Argentinian fans in Nizhny Novgorod on Friday and the recriminations from the devastating Croatia defeat just hours earlier were well underway.

The realisation that the 3-0 thumping by Croatia -- complete with comedy first goal -- had left the mighty two-time winners on the verge of a humiliating exit, left some of their fans in tears.

On Friday, many remained stunned by what had happened.

"We can't sleep, we can't talk, we can't do anything," said Sebastian, a 34-year-old lawyer who had travelled to Russia from Rosario.

"We've never seen anything like last night."

The team, he said, had shown no "huevos", using the Spanish slang for testicles.

Susi, a grandmother from Buenos Aires who spent an eye-watering $40,000 taking her son and grandson to Russia, said the result was so bad it could have implications for Argentina's president, Mauricio Macri, as he battles economic problems at home.

"If Argentina loses, it can become a social problem," she said.

The defeat was arguably the most shocking result of the tournament so far.

A team thought among the favourites for the World Cup, with superstar Lionel Messi as captain, were not expected to struggle through the first stage.

They certainly weren't expected to play so badly.

The result was Argentina's worst at a World Cup since being dismantled by Johan Cruyff's "Total Football" Dutch side 4-0 on a thundery night in West Germany back in 1974.

Nor were Argentina meant to rely on the results of Iceland or Nigeria just to remain in Russia.

With one point from two games, their fans were desperate for Nigeria to beat Iceland in Friday's game to retain hope of qualifying for the knockout stage.

"Today, all my country is Nigerian," joked Nicolas, 41, a company owner from Buenos Aires.

Fans of the "Albiceleste" could be spotted all around Nizhny on Friday.

Some were walking round town in kit, others with "Lio" shaved into their hair, and those draped in the country's flag, like Santiago, a student from the south of Argentina, as he prepared to head to Saint Petersburg for Argentina's crucial final Group D match on June 26.

Who was to blame? The embattled coach Jorge Sampaoli or the curiously listless players who have failed to produce, including the great Messi?

"I believe that the coach is not sure what he wants, or he is unable to pass this onto the players," said Santiago.

"But they also have to play, after all they are professionals."

- Down, but not out -

Despair though had turned to hope in the cold light of day, or at least the first signs that all was not lost

Cousins Juan and Valentino from Cordoba were about to embark on a 20-hour journey by train and plane via Moscow, Rome, Madrid and Buenos Aires to go home.

Their Russian odyssey was over but maybe not their team's.

Valentino complained that the Argentinian public and media put too much pressure on the side.

"The people think that the only way is to win the World Cup, they don't consider it a probability to lose," said Valentino, a 19-year-old student.

Juan called for as many as five changes in the team for the Nigeria game.

"We have a potential chance, it's time to support the team," said the 37-year-old accountant hopefully.

"We were in the same situation as we are now (when qualifying for the World Cup).

"We did it one time, so we can do it again."

Santos stunned league leaders Flamengo with a 1-0 victory in the 14th round of the 2025 Brasileirão on Wednesday at Vila Belmiro, thanks to a late goal from Neymar.

Neymar's performance was a bright spot, signaling a return to form for the star forward and lifting the spirits of the Santos faithful.

In a tightly contested match, Flamengo dominated possession but struggled to break down a resolute Santos defense. The hosts relied on counterattacks and capitalized in the 84th minute when Neymar slotted home the winner — a clinical finish that secured Santos' second straight league win.

The result ended Flamengo's three-match winning streak and handed them their first defeat in the league, although they remain top of the table with 27 points. Santos, meanwhile, moved up to 13th with 14 points as they begin to find rhythm.

Santos next face Mirassol on July 20, aiming to extend their momentum. Flamengo will take on city rivals Fluminense a day later in a high-stakes derby.
 

Sweden's preparations for their World Cup clash against Germany have been hampered by a stomach bug that has prevented three players from travelling to Sochi, where Saturday's game will be played.

Coach Janne Andersson revealed that defenders Pontus Jansson and Filip Helander, along with midfielder Marcus Rohden, were left behind at the team's tournament base further up Russia's Black Sea coast in Gelendzhik to avoid any danger of the illness spreading.

However, the hope is that they will recover to come to Sochi in time for the match.

"We have split the squad. We didn't bring them on the flight because we didn't know what had made them feel a bit queasy, but they will travel tomorrow," Andersson said at a press conference at Sochi's Fisht Stadium on Friday.

Sweden's team doctor said in a statement on the official Swedish FA website that the trio were "on the mend".

Of the three, only Leeds United defender Jansson played in Sweden's opening 1-0 win over South Korea, and that was because Manchester United's Victor Lindelof was ill.

Lindelof has travelled to Sochi and could return against Germany but there is a doubt over striker Isaac Kiese Thelin, who has an ankle problem.

While Sweden, who qualified for the finals after ousting Italy in a play-off, come into the game in a strong position, Germany are on the brink of a full-blown crisis.

A defeat at the hands of Mexico in the first match of their trophy defence means they cannot afford another slip-up in Group F on Saturday.

"This is really what you spend your whole career and life working towards. It is an extraordinary opportunity to be involved in a World Cup match like this," said Andersson.

"Whether we knock out Germany is one thing, but we have a chance to qualify and that is extraordinary."