Neymar Starts For Brazil As Ronaldo Trains
Muhammad Rameez Published June 11, 2018 | 02:27 PM
Neymar made his first start since February in Brazil's final World Cup warm-up match on Sunday as Cristiano Ronaldo trained with European champions Portugal.
Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jun, 2018 ) :Neymar made his first start since February in Brazil's final World Cup warm-up match on Sunday as Cristiano Ronaldo trained with European champions Portugal.
As the clock ticks down to Thursday's World Cup opener in Moscow between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia, Egypt's Mohamed Salah touched down, facing his own fitness battle.
Neymar, who broke a bone in his foot in February, made an explosive return to action against Croatia in Liverpool last weekend, scoring a stunning goal in a 2-0 win for the five-time world champions after coming on as a substitute.
The Paris Saint-German star declared himself "80 percent" fit and Sunday's run-out in Vienna should leave him fully primed for Brazil's opener against Switzerland on June 17.
Drawn in Group E, Brazil, who are second behind defending world champions Germany in the FIFA rankings, will face Costa Rica and Serbia after Switzerland.
Ronaldo's Portugal held their first World Cup training session on Sunday at the team's base in Kratovo, southeast of Moscow, five days ahead of their heavyweight opening clash against Spain.
All 23 players in Fernando Santos's squad took part in a 90-minute open training session held in light drizzle and chilly temperatures hovering just above 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Ronaldo cheers - Ronaldo's presence elicited cheers from the 100 or so fans in attendance, with a similar number of media present along the touchline.
The European champions play Spain in the 2014 Winter Olympics host city Sochi in the opening match for both nations on Friday.
Santos's side will need no reminding of the importance of their opening match against Spain, after a 4-0 defeat by Germany in Brazil four years ago set the tone for a dismal group stage exit.
The winner on June 15 at Sochi's Fisht stadium will be in pole position to come out on top in a group that also includes Morocco and Iran.
The top two teams from each group qualify for the last 16.
Egypt are banking on the availability of Liverpool forward Salah, who was injured in the Champions League final, as they try to qualify from the group stages for the first time.
The player attended Egypt's final training session in Cairo on Saturday but did not take part, restricting himself to briefly dribbling the ball on the corner of the pitch.
"The team is ready for the competition and morale is high," national team manager Ihab Leheta told AFP at Grozny airport.
As teams fine-tune their preparations, highly fancied Spain laboured to a narrow 1-0 victory against Tunisia at their base in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar.
Iago Aspas scored the only goal for the 2010 champions against fellow World Cup qualifiers Tunisia seven minutes from the end of Saturday's match.
France looked flat in a 1-1 draw against the United States in Lyon despite an improved performance from Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.
Julian Green gave the US, who failed to qualify for Russia, the lead on the stroke of half-time but Paris Saint-Germain teenager Kylian Mbappe equalised for the hosts.
Pogba had been jeered a week ago in a 3-1 victory over Italy but it was his pass that teed up Mbappe to save face for the Euro 2016 finalists in a match they were expected to win.
Argentina, 2014 finalists, are in Russia looking to re-focus after their World Cup preparations were thrown off track when their match against Israel was called off and Australia arrived on Sunday.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From Sports
-
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
4 hours ago -
National Hockey camp to be organized for Azlan Shah tournament
5 hours ago -
Islamabad Tennis Club demolished by CDA amid anti-encroachment action at public park: Tarar
7 hours ago -
Shayan, Rashid, Junaid to represent Pakistan in U12 Regional Qualifying Jrs
7 hours ago -
Olympic Games Paris 2024: How teams qualified
8 hours ago -
ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy unveiled in Islamabad
7 hours ago
-
Pakistan to tour New Zealand for 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is next March
7 hours ago -
Xavi and Barca remain tied in marriage of convenience
7 hours ago -
Pakistan Master Tenpin Bowling C'ship postponed
7 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
7 hours ago -
1st-ever National Sports Revival conference starts next month
9 hours ago -
Usain Bolt named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
9 hours ago