Brazil celebrate Neymar return for World Cup knockout clash

After missing Brazil’s last two World Cup group stage matches, star forward Neymar returns to the national team’s starting line-up for this afternoon’s knockout tie against South Korea. 

The PSG attacker hobbled off the field during Brazil’s 2-0 victorious opener against Serbia on November 24, suffering an ankle injury that kept him out of subsequent matches versus Switzerland and Cameroon. After ten days of intensive treatment, he has been deemed fit enough to start in today’s make-or-break last 16 clash.

Brazilians hope Neymar’s return will give a much-needed boost to an attack that has been prolific in creating goal-scoring opportunities but massively ineffective in actually putting the ball into the net. Brazil finished the group stage having scored just three goals, its lowest return for a World Cup first phase since 1978.

Of the World Cup’s last 16, Brazil had more shots (52) in their first three games than any other team. But they needed an average of 17.3 shots to score each of their goals, more than any of the favorites. 

Brazil have made important changes to their lineup for each match so far — none more so than for their last group match against Cameroon, where coach Tite rested his entire first-choice 11 and lost 1-0. But with Neymar’s return, today’s lineup will be very close to the team that started against Serbia, with only injured left-back Alex Sandro missing out.

Juventus full-back Danilo will deputize at left-back, leaving Eder Militão to cover at right-back. Besides this, the team is identical to that which began Brazil’s tournament with a win over Serbia.

Brazil will line up as follows: Ederson; Eder Militão, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Danilo; Casemiro, Lucas Paquetá; Raphinha, Neymar, Vini Jr.; Richarlison.

Today’s opponents, South Korea qualified for the World Cup’s round of 16 thanks to an improbable last game combination of results, which saw Uruguay miss out on qualification with just minutes left to play.

South Korea and Brazil have never met in a competitive match, but the two sides did play in a friendly earlier this year in Seoul. Brazil won that game 5-1, with Neymar scoring twice.

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