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    Brazil hoping for huge World Cup 2022 boost as they post clip of star man Neymar back working in gym after ankle injury

    BRAZIL are hoping to get their talisman Neymar back in action as soon as possible, and have posted a morale-boosting clip of him in training for the Samba faithful.Neymar suffered ankle ligament damage in the opening game against Serbia.
    Neymar Jr está trabalhando intensamente ao lado dos preparadores físicos da Seleção para voltar o quanto antes a treinar com o grupo e ficar à disposição do técnico Tite. Hoje ele treinou na academia! Bora, Ney! 👊🏽 Danilo e Alex Sandro também fizeram trabalhos individuais.💛💚 pic.twitter.com/yEukGQONM0— Neymar Jr Site (@NeymarJrSite) December 2, 2022

    Neymar pictured in the gymCredit: Twitter/@NeymarJrSite
    Neymar was spotted on the pitch ahead of Brazil’s clash with CameroonCredit: EPA
    He is with the squad on the sidelines cheering them on in their final group gameCredit: Getty
    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.
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    “Today he trained at the gym! Let’s go, Ney!
    “Danilo and Alex Sandro also made individual works.”
    Having already qualified Brazil had no need to risk some of their crocked stars against Cameroon, but boss Tite will be desperate to see Neymar come back in time for the knockout rounds.
    Brazil’s medical department believe they can get him fit in time for the Last 16.
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    With the absence of Danilo at right-back, Dani Alves has come into the team to face Cameroon.
    The 39-year-old is wearing the captain’s armband and has become his nation’s oldest ever player at the World Cup, beating out a record set by Thiago Silva earlier this week. More

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    Fans all say the same thing as Germany prepare to release All or Nothing documentary on shocking World Cup campaign

    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.
    Germany failed to make the World Cup knockouts for a second successive tournamentCredit: Getty
    Their campaign is being made into an Amazon All or Nothing documentaryCredit: Getty
    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.
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    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.”
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    A third quipped: “Went from series to ‘limited series’ v quick.”
    And a fourth added: “They should just call it Nothing.”
    Japan surprisingly topped the ‘Group of Death’ ahead of Spain in second, with Germany third and Costa Rica fourth.
    A highly controversial goal in Japan’s shock 2-1 win over Spain sent the Germans packing.
    Fifa today released goal line footage that proved Kaoru Mitoma DID keep the ball in play for Ao Tanaka’s winner, despite many angles appearing to suggest it went off the field.
    Germany were knocked out after Japan beat Spain 2-1Credit: AP More

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    Incredible moment South Koreans celebrate qualification after HUGE wait watching Uruguay vs Ghana on pitch

    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.
    South Korea celebrate getting through to the knockouts after waiting on the Ghana vs Uruguay whistleCredit: AFP
    The players dive across the pitch in front of the travelling fansCredit: AFP
    Son threw off his mask in an emotional celebrationCredit: AFP
    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.
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    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.”
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    It looked as if their dream would die as Portugal refused to buckle just as the PA announcer informed the 44,000 people in the crowd that there would be six minutes of overtime in their clash.
    From a Portugal attack in the Korean box, Son picked up the ball and galloped two thirds the length of the pitch in a run similar to his wonder goal against Burnley in 2019.
    But instead of going all the way this time, he stopped, held up the ball with three players around him then poked a brilliant through ball into the path of Hwang who drilled his shot home to spark delirious scenes on and off the turf.
    Meanwhile, Ghana’s revenge mission on Luis Suarez did not go to plan – but at least the Uruguayan did not have the last laugh on them. 
    The Black Stars had waited 12 years to get their own back after the man known as “the devil himself” denied them a place in the 2010 World Cup semi-finals. More

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    Ghana fans CELEBRATE despite losing 2-0 and being knocked out of World Cup – because at least hated Uruguay are out too

    GHANA fans were jumping for joy after their clash with Uruguay – despite being dumped out of the World Cup.The Black Stars suffered a 2-0 defeat to the South Americans in the final round of Group H fixtures.
    Ghana were dumped out of the World Cup following a 2-0 defeat to UruguayCredit: REUTERS
    But their fans were jubilant after the match as Uruguay were also eliminatedCredit: TWITTER@AZIZFAARAH@
    Ghana fans’ hatred of Uruguay stems from Luis Suarez’s handball in their 2010 World Cup quarter-finalCredit: GETTY
    Defeat to the Uruguayans ended their hopes of progressing through to the last 16 and saw them finish rock bottom of the group.
    But they were still jubilant as a late winner from South Korea against Portugal sent Uruguay home.
    Scores of Ghana fans stayed in the Al-Janoub Stadium after the final whistle to celebrate La Celeste’s shortcomings.
    Footy fans were quick to comment, with one saying: “I respect this level of salt, TBH.”
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    Another said: “This is amazing.”
    And another said: “That’s the spirit.”
    One remarked: “This is hilarious.”
    Another chimed in: “It’s not Ghana, it’s Africa, credit to Suarez 2010.”
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    Video footage emerged of some Ghanaian fans repeatedly chanting “Uruguay home” and “Korea” outside the stadium shortly after the match.
    Ghana fans revelled in Uruguay’s elimination as the South Americans controversially dumped them out of the 2010 tournament at the quarter-final stage.
    Ghana were pipped to a historic place in the last four on penalties, although it was the circumstances that led to the shootout which is at the centre of their hatred.
    Uruguay legend Luis Suarez denied the Ghanaians a spot in the semis when he deliberately hand-balled Dominic Adiyah’s shot on the goal line in extra time.
    Uruguay legend Luis Suarez was in floods of tears after their eliminationCredit: AP
    The former Liverpool man was given a straight red, but Asamoah Gyan ended up missing the ensuing pen and the chance to write his name into the history books.
    Suarez instantly became a figure of hate for Ghana fans, many of whom rejoiced after seeing him cry his eyes out after the final whistle. More

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    Serbia 2 Switzerland 3 LIVE RESULT: Freuler nets after Embolo, Mitrovic, Vlahovic & Shaqiri goals at World Cup

    SWITZERLAND are through to the last-16 after coming out victorious against rivals Serbia. Xherdan Shaqiri fired in the opener from the left-hand side, cutting in to hit a deflected shot past the goalkeeper.
    However, they were not ahead for long as Aleksandr Mitrovic netted a sublime equaliser, heading his side level.
    And they completed the turnaround as Dusan Vlahovic finished smartly into the bottom corner.
    Despite this, Switzerland would not accept defeat and they equalised through Breel Embolo, tapping in after a fine move.
    The best goal of the game came as Remo Freuler finished after an impressive passing move led to the goal, a crucial strike that saw his side go through to the knockout round.

    Kick-off time: 7pm GMT
    Live stream: ITV X
    TV channel: ITV Two
    Group G: LIVE TABLE
    Serbia XI: Milinkovic-Savic, Milenkovic, Veljkovic, Pavlovic, Zivkovic, Milinkovic-Savic, Lukic, Kostic, Tadic, Mitrovic, Vlahovic
    Switzerland XI: Kobel, Widmer, Akanji, Schar, Rodriguez, Xhaka, Freuler, Shaqiri, Sow, Vargas, Embolo
    Explainer: All the info for Serbia vs Switzerland

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    Goodnight from Stadium 974
    And goodbye to the group stage of Qatar 2022!
    This week’s fixture finales have been thrill-a-minute rides that have keep the watching world on the edge of their seats until the last whistle.
    Quite simply, it’s proved to be the most dramatic group stage the World Cup has even known, and a timely reminder to FIFA that their proposal of 16 groups of three teams for 2026 is a sham.
    Back in 2022, Switzerland became the 16th and final team to seal their spot in the knockout stages, but not without the competitive challenge of Serbia – and even Cameroon.
    Expect more drama tomorrow when the round of 16 commences, and that, of course, means the possibility of extra-time and penalties.
    The eight ties begin with the Netherlands taking on the USA, and we’ll be here to cover every kick.
    Until then, thanks and farewell.
    Extra! Read all about it!
    An evening that begun in scintillating style ended in chaos as emotions ran high among the Serbian and Swiss players, both on and off the pitch.
    Our man in Qatar – Mark Irwin – has attempted to make sense of it with the filing of his match report of Switzerland’s 3-2 success at Stadium 974.
    An appeal over the stadium tannoy for an end to offensive chants inevitably fell on deaf ears as the game reached its conclusion with a spate of yellow cards – and the only surprise was that the game finished with all 22 players still on the pitch.Mark IrwinThe Sun

    Clash more yellow than mellow
    Christmas is coming so perhaps it’s only right to expect plenty of cards.
    It was certainly the case this evening as Serbia and Switzerland served up 11 in an emotionally-charged clash.
    The 11 bookings are the most in a World Cup match since the 2010 final – and not a Howard Webb in sight.
    Credit: @OptaFranz Twitter
    Match stats from Stadium 974
    Serbia failed to muster a single shot on target in the second half as their ‘gold-ish generation’ crashed out of the World Cup.

    The Last 16 line-up
    The eight groups have now been decided, and we know the full line-up for the first knockout stage of Qatar 2022.

    Netherlands v USA (Saturday, 3pm)
    Argentina v Australia (Saturday, 7pm)
    France v Poland (Sunday, 3pm)
    England v Senegal (Sunday, 7pm)
    Japan v Croatia (Monday, 3pm)
    Brazil v South Korea (Monday, 7pm)
    Morocco v Spain (Tuesday, 3pm)
    Portugal v Switzerland (Tuesday, 7pm)

    The final Group G standings
    For the first time since USA ’94, not one single side qualified from the group stage of a World Cup with maximum points.
    Brazil won Group G despite losing this evening to Cameroon, who were edged out of second place by Switzerland’s victory over Serbia.
    Credit: FIFA.com
    Full time – Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    The final whistle goes, and it’s Switzerland that progress to the knockout stages at the end of an emotionally-charged evening in Qatar.
    Goals at the end of the first half and the start of the second knocked the stuffing out Serbia, and ultimately knocked Serbia out of the World Cup.
    Dragan Stojkovic’s team is littered with talent, but one-by-one they were withdrawn as Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri got the better of them again.

    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    90+10. Into the 100th minute, and Serbia are still looking for a goal that would knock Switzerland out!
    A free-kick is sent deep into the area where it’s headed out by Akanji to Radonjic, who pulls his volley wide.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    90+8. Dusan Tadic has just challenged for an aerial ball on the touchline.
    Nothing strange about that, you might think.
    Well, he was substituted about 20 minutes ago.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    90+5. Granit Xhaka and Aleksandar Mitrovic are still going at each other.
    I’ll tell you what, Fulham versus Arsenal will be tasty later in the season.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    90+4. Here’s the flashpoint!
    Two players square up to each on the touchline as the ball is shadowed out of play, and then all hell breaks loose.
    Granit Xhaka and Nikola Milenkovic end up with bookings, but the arguments (and whistle blowing) are ongoing!

    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    90+2. A little late drama in Group G, but not her.
    Cameroon have scored what is surely a late winner against Brazil through Vincent Aboubakar, who has been sent off for a second bookable offence for taking his shirt off.
    If Serbia were to score here, it would be Cameroon that would qualify ahead of Switzerland.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    90. The board goes up to signal seven minutes of stoppage time.
    The Serbian fans inside Stadium 974 look glum. The Swiss are giving each pass the ‘ole!’ treatment.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    89. A chance for Fassnacht to wrap it up, but his effort is saved!
    It was lovely build-up play from fellow substitute Fernandes to exploit the gaps at the back.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    87. The second half at Stadium 974 hasn’t lived up to the expectation set by the first half.
    Still, it’s been better than Brazil v Cameroon.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    85. Into the final five minutes, and it’s a shame to say that time and hope is rapidly running out for the Serbians.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    84. An inventive free-kick from Switzerland sees Akanji curl around the wall and into the side netting.
    It’s a shame there haven’t been more twists and turns in Group G because Manchester City’s maths genius would have been the perfect person to help out fumbling commentators.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland – Serbia yellow cards
    82. Serbia are losing their cool somewhat – as if their wont.
    Nemanja Gudelj is the first man into the book for dragging Embolo down five yards outside the penalty area.
    And he’s joined shortly afterwards by Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is cautioned for giving referee Fernando Rapallini both barrels.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    80. Pavlovic is not going out without a fight – literally.
    The defender, already on a yellow card, charges up the pitch, and catches Widmer after the Swiss full-back had sent a clearance up the line.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland – Serbia double substitution
    78. Dusan Tadic has shown flashes of true football genius tonight, but have his 34-year-old legs finally caught up with him?
    Dragan Stojkovic thinks so, and withdraws his captain in a final double change.
    Also off is Andrija Zivkovic with the pair replaced by Filip Duricic and Nemanja Radonjic.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    76. He’s gone under the radar, but Granit Xhaka has performed a vital for his country this evening.
    What a season the Arsenal midfielder is having.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    74. Are Serbia starting to lose faith?
    It’s gone a little bit flat, but a crunching challenge from Gudelj goes somewhere to lifting those in red.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    72. The pattern for the rest of the game now seems set.
    Serbia are in possession, attempting to break down a defensive Switzerland to keep their World Cup alive.
    The Swiss, meanwhile, are looking to kill this contest off on the counter.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    70. Switzerland are doubling up on Mitrovic now, but the fearsome striker is still taking the game to them.
    He is unable to get on the end of an overhit centre, but moments later is able to get a shot away from outside the box that crashes into the nearest defender.
    Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
    69. Those substitutions, and the protests from the bench, have taken some sting out of the contest just when Serbia were building up a head of steam.
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    Cameroon 1 Brazil 0 LIVE RESULT: Goal scorer Aboubakar SENT OFF for celebration as Cameroon OUT of World Cup despite win

    CAMEROON are OUT of the World Cup despite an incredible victory against Brazil.Bryan Mbeumo saw a first-half header was kept out by a fantastic save from Ederson.
    Gabriel Martinelli had a chance of his own for Brazil soon after, seeing a curled effort tipped over the bar.
    But it was Vincent Aboubakar who opened the scoring, heading his side into the lead before being handed a second yellow card and being SENT OFF after taking his top off to celebrate.
    However, the African side are out despite winning as Switzerland came out victorious against Serbia in the other match in Group G.

    Kick-off time: 7pm GMT
    Live stream: ITV X
    TV channel: ITV One
    Group G: LIVE TABLE
    Cameroon XI: Epassy, Fai Collins, Wooh, Ebosse, Tolo, Anguissa, Kunde, Mbuemo, Choupo-Moting, Ngamaleu, Aboubakar
    Brazil XI: Ederson, Alves, Militao, Bremer, Telles, Fabinho, Fred, Rodrygo, Martinelli, Antony, Jesus
    Explainer: All the info for Cameroon vs Brazil

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    Indomitable Lions maul Selecao
    They be out of the 2022 World Cup but Rigobert Song’s Cameroon really did bow out in style in the end.
    Grabbing an added-time winner against Brazil.
    Had results gone another way in the other group game and Cameroon could have been heading through.
    Instead Vincent Aboubakar’s goal gives them their first World Cup victory in seven attempts.
    Credit: EPA
    Credit: EPA
    Credit: EPA
    The curious case of Gabriel Jesus
    Brazil fans are torn as to the inclusion of the Arsenal striker following his poor form leading the line for the country in the last edition in Russia in 2018.
    Jesus has never scored a goal at the World Cup and did not look like getting any closer today.
    When you look at his heat map, and then touch map, you cannot argue that is getting the ball into too many areas where he cannot hurt the opposition.
    Make the right runs in the final third and the goals will come.

    Full Monty to your offski
    The hero of Cameroon, Vincent Aboubakar was shown a second yellow card for his goal celebration, seeing the striker sent-off.
    He laughed at the referee and gestured towards him as he left the field.
    Nothing will tarnish this memory of his goal slaying the mighty Brazil.
    Credit: Reuters
    Credit: AP
    Credit: EPA
    FT: Cameroon 1-0 Brazil
    Well not many people saw that one coming.
    Brazil are not to be feared anymore, they can be beaten.
    Vincent Aboubakar, take a bow son.

    FT: Cameroon 1-0 Brazil
    The referee brings the game to a close.
    A lot of people’s favourites to win this tournament have suffered their first defeat of the 2022 World Cup.
    Cameroon bow out of the tournament in style.
    Credit: Reuters
    Cameroon 1-0 Brazil – Guimaraes chance
    90+9. Bruno Guimaraes should have won this game three times over.
    He has had some chances in this added time.
    Cameroon will be personally thanking him for the result soon.
    Cameroon 1-0 Brazil – Guimaraes chance
    90+8. Martinelli does well out wife once again.
    Turning in and out before producing a high-quality cross.
    Guimaraes meets it at the back post but his looping header is no trouble for the Cameroon keeper.
    Cameroon 1-0 Brazil
    90+6. There still could be drama yet.
    Cameroon hope for a late Serbia equaliser.
    Who would want to change the format of the World Cup, this is brilliant!
    Cameroon 1-0 Brazil
    90+4. The first goal to score against Brazil at this World Cup are officially Cameroon, courtesy of Aboubakar.
    He takes his shirt off to celebrate the goal.
    The referee produces a second yellow card and sends him off.
    Credit: Getty
    Goal – Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon)
    Cameroon 0-0 Brazil
    90. The ‘board of torture’ is held up.
    We are going to be subjected to nine more minutes of this.
    Brazil couldn’t score at Glastonbury based on this showing.
    Cameroon 0-0 Brazil
    88. This just seems to be one of those games for Brazil.
    The delivery from dead-ball situations has been poor.
    Lacking that killer pass in the final third.
    Cameroon 0-0 Brazil – Guimaraes yellow card
    86. The Newcastle midfielder is booked for a clumsy tug of a player.
    Ngamaleu is coming off for Mbekeli.
    What a time to make a name for yourself with a winning goal for Rigobert Song’s side.
    Credit: Reuters
    Cameroon 0-0 Brazil
    84. It already has come as somewhat of a shock to the system, not having four games a day to tune into.
    The Premier League will need to up its game now, we have been accustomed to some much football every day of the week now.
    Cameroon as starting to look tired defence now.
    Rafinha crosses from the byline to find Guimaraes in the box but his shot is blocked for another corner.
    Cameroon 0-0 Brazil – Aboubakar yellow card
    82. As Brazil break with the pace of Martinelli, the Cameroon striker takes him out with a challenge that wouldn’t look out of place at Twickenham.
    There is no argument about that yellow card.
    The epitome of ‘taking one for the team’ there.
    Cameroon 0-0 Brazil
    80. Brazil bring off Antony for Rafinha.
    Both players now playing their trade in the North of England.
    This would be a good time for Cameroon to produce any sucker punch they have planned for this evening.
    Aboubakar tries to bend one in the top corner but Alves deflects the ball wide.
    Cameroon 0-0 Brazil
    78. The official attendance has been announced as 85,000.
    According to research, the capacity of the Lusail Stadium is 80,000.
    Credit to FIFA for bringing the folding chairs with them.
    Credit: Getty
    Cameroon 0-0 Brazil
    76. Well, this will have to go down as another disappointing World Cup campaign for the African side.
    Often doing so well in the AFCON tournaments, they have not set the world stage alight since the days of Roger Milla.
    He lit up a tournament with his goals AND dance skills.
    Cameroon 0-0 Brazil
    74. Brazil continue to knock on the door.
    The ball is played to Bruno Guimaraes on the edge of the box.
    He takes one touch and looks to get a shot off at goal but puts it well over the bar under pressure from the Cameroon defenders.
    Cameroon 0-0 Brazil
    72. Tolo dumps Antony to the floor.
    As the player stays down, Tolo has no time for him despite his yellow card so early on in this game.
    Brazil are starting to come into the game more.
    Trying to pass their way through the players camped in the Cameroon defence.
    Cameroon 0-0 Brazil
    70. We are into the last twenty minutes of the game.
    Qualification is out of the hands of Cameroon now.
    Switzerland seem to be getting the job done in the other group game.
    Credit: Getty
    Cameroon 0-0 Brazil
    68. This World Cup in Qatar is breaking all records for nil-nil draws.
    Pretty sure this is at least the fifth if not more.
    Guimaraes is now on the pitch for Brazil.
    We could do with seeing someone light this game up.
    Cameroon 0-0 Brazil
    66. Jesus has still yet to score a World Cup goal.
    Not the kind of vibe we need on this pitch at nil-nil.
    Sadly, as things stands, Cameroon could score four goals here and still not go through.
    Cameroon 0-0 Brazil
    64. Song looks set to make some changes.
    They need to get something going in this game.
    If anything, Brazil are still looking the more likely to score.
    Ekambi comes on for Mbeumo.
    Gabriel Jesus is replaced by Pedro.
    Cameroon 0-0 Brazil
    62. We are an hour into this game now and they are still keeping Brazil out.
    Add to that and they are threatening Ederson’s goal.
    For the first time in this tournament in Qatar.
    Credit: Getty
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    Gary Lineker says England should rest key man in Senegal World Cup clash as he’s the only player who can stop Mbappe

    GARY LINEKER has claimed Trent Alexander-Arnold or Kieran Trippier should start England’s last 16 clash against Senegal.The ex-Three Lions striker believes Gareth Southgate cannot “take the risk” of key man Kyle Walker getting injured.
    Gary Lineker believes Trent Alexander-Arnold or Kieran Trippier should start against SenegalCredit: Getty
    Lineker reckons Kyle Walker should be rested for a potential quarter-final meeting with FranceCredit: Getty
    Lineker believes Manchester City ace Walker, 32, should be wrapped up in cotton wool for the Senegal meeting.
    A win against the Africa Cup of Nations champs would send England into the quarter-finals, where current holders France are the opponents if they beat Poland.
    And Lineker believes Walker is the only player who is a match for French superstar Kylian Mbappe.
    Mbappe, 23, is the joint top scorer at the World Cup, netting three times in three games.
    Read More England News
    For that reason, according to the BBC presenter, Southgate should not risk starting Walker against Senegal in case of injury.
    Lineker declared: “Kyle Walker should not be in England’s team to play Senegal.”
    Explaining his reasoning, Lineker continued: “England cannot afford for Walker to get injured because he’s probably just about the only full-back on the planet that can compete with Kylian Mbappe, and that is the French team.
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    “How would you take the risk, why would you take the risk of him getting injured?”
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    Walker missed the first two games of the World Cup while he continued to recover from a groin injury that has kept him sidelined since the start of October.
    He then came in for the 3-0 win over Wales.
    But Lineker claimed: “I don’t want to be arrogant and say we’re taking Senegal for granted because what I’m saying is given the right-backs England have, when you’ve got either Trent Alexander-[Arnold] or Kieran Tripper, two wonderful players, why risk Walker?”
    Walker has been capped 71 times by England, and is appearing in his fourth major tournament for the Three Lions. More

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    Watch Liverpool and Uruguay star Darwin Nunez get yellow card for scuffing penalty spot even as Ghana try to protect it

    LIVERPOOL ace Darwin Nunez turned to the dark arts of football by stamping on the penalty spot before Ghana took their spot kick. Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet brought down Mohammed Kudus in the area early on to bring back memories of the 2010 World Cup when Asamoah Gyan saw his penalty crash off the crossbar.

    Darwin Nunez steps up to the penalty spot
    Nunez then scraped his foot over the spot
    Ghana players react after Nunez gets involved
    Nunez was given a yellow card for his troublesCredit: Reuters
    But knowing the importance of this game to his nation’s hopes of progressing into the next round, he was willing to do what he could to disrupt the penalty.
    Nunez then stuck his foot in between a group of Ghanaian players who were protecting the penalty spot and scraped his foot over it in an effort to distort it.
    The 23-year-old was then angrily confronted by the group of Ghanaian players and given a yellow card for his troubles.
    However, for him it will be worth it as Andre Ayew missed the spot kick to add more woe to their 2010 hurt when Luis Suarez handballed on the line to deny Ghana a semi-final spot.
    READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
    The penalty miss will have been sickening for Ghana supporters as they faced having their hearts broken for a second time by the same side.
    The South American nation then compounded Ghana’s penalty misery by breaking the deadlock.
    Giorgian de Arrascaeta opened the scoring before adding a second just after the half hour mark with a sweetly struck volley.
    Going into the match the winner faced a good chance of going into the knockout round.
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    However, a victory for South Korea over Portugal meant both of the 2010 quarter-finalists crashed out.
    Hwang Hee-Chan’s injury-time winner gave Korea the crucial goal they needed to beat Portugal and pull off an improbable qualification. More