Two more teams will be going home this morning as reigning champions France face Robert Lewandowski’s Poland side (2am AEDT), before England take on Senegal (6am).
Here’s all the latest news from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Injured Jesus to stay with Brazil squad, Neymar to play in Round of 16 tie
Ever since his off-season move from Manchester City to North London, Gabriel Jesus has been in a rich vein in form for new club Arsenal, netting five times and laying on six assists.
Jesus was hoping to carry that momentum into a World Cup tilt with Brazil but the striker’s tournament was ended when he sustained a knee injury in the shock 1-0 loss to Cameroon.
“Players Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus underwent tests Saturday morning accompanied by team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar and a MRI on their right knees confirmed the extent of the injuries and the impossibility of recovery in time to participate in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” the CBF said in a statement.
According to ESPN, Arsenal sporting director Edu made contact with Brazil in hopes of bringing his star forward back to London so he could continue his recovery there.
That request was denied, however, and Jesus will stay with the national team squad in Qatar.
The timeline on Jesus’s injury is up to three months in a huge blow to the Gunners’ Premier League title and potentially even top-four hopes with Mikel Arteta not boasting anything close to an equivalent No.9 in his squad.
Meanwhile, after there were some fairly serious concerns over the PSG forward’s fitness, Neymar has been passed fit to take on South Korea on Tuesday (6am AEDT).
In a huge coup for coach Tite, Brazil’s frontline will be significantly boosted by Neymar’s inclusion as the squad has been affected by key injuries.
“He has a specific training, so I don’t anticipate any situation,” Tite told reporters ahead of the Round of 16 clash at Stadium 974.
Right-back Danilo is also available, however left fullback Alex Sandro is not fit to face South Korea. Along with Jesus, Alex Telles will miss the remainder of the 2022 World Cup.
