November 24, 2022 at 5:29 PM EST
Neymar injury update
Brazil’s 2-0 victory over Serbia at the 2022 World Cup was overshadowed by an ankle injury which left Neymar in tears on the substitutes’ bench.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward was repeatedly fouled during the match and was eventually withdrawn after Richarlison had scored a sublime goal to give Brazil a two-goal lead.
After being substituted Neymar appeared to be in tears on the bench. He was then pictured heading towards the dressing room with a badly swollen ankle.
Brazil’s national team doctor later confirmed that Neymar had sustained a sprained ankle, although Tite, the manager, said he believed the 30-year-old would play again in Qatar.
Brazil’s doctor said: “Neymar has a sprain on the right ankle. We started treatment immediately but we need to wait 24 hours to have a better assessment.
“We have nothing else scheduled. Now we need to wait and we cannot make any premature comments.”
Tite later added: “We are confident that Neymar will continue playing, that he will continue playing in the World Cup.”
James Horncastle·
Serie A Correspondent
November 24, 2022 at 4:51 PM EST
West Ham’s Kurt Zouma set for spell on sidelines
West Ham defender Kurt Zouma is set for a spell on the sidelines after having surgery on a knee problem.
The Frenchman was forced off during the first half of the 2-0 home defeat by Leicester, in the final Premier League match ahead of the World Cup break.
West Ham did not provide a timescale for Zouma’s expected recovery.
A club statement read: “West Ham United can confirm that Kurt Zouma has had surgery on a knee injury.
“The French defender will now continue his rehabilitation at Rush Green with the Club’s medical team.
“Everyone at West Ham United would like to wish Kurt a speedy recovery.”
Ali Humayun
November 24, 2022 at 2:15 PM EST
Portugal overcome Ghana 3-2 in nail-biting finish
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score at five World Cups as Portugal began their 2022 World Cup with a winning start following a late flurry of second-half goals.
A match that saw five goals scored in the second half ended 3-2 in Portugal’s favour, and could have ended level if Inaki Williams had managed to stay on his feet in the dying embers of the game.
Enthralling stuff.
Ali Humayun
GO FURTHER
Portugal vs Ghana result: Portugal edge past Ghana in five-goal thriller
November 24, 2022 at 1:10 PM EST
Wolves appoint Matt Hobbs as sporting director
The Midlands club have promoted their former recruitment chief.
Steve Madeley·
West Bromwich Albion Staff Writer
Matt Hobbs has been appointed to the position of sporting director.
Matt will work closely with chairman Jeff Shi, head coach Julen Lopetegui and his backroom staff, and oversee a number of sporting and performance departments across our men’s, women’s and academy teams.
— Wolves (@Wolves) November 24, 2022
November 24, 2022 at 12:14 PM EST
Wolves’ technical director Sellars leaves club
Wolves’ tehcnical director Scott Sellars has left the club after eight years.
He originally held the role as under-23s manager before “moving upstairs” three years ago, first as head of player development, then head of the academy and eventually technical director in 2021.
Although Sellars held the title of technical director, a large proportion of players arriving at Molineux did so via super agent Jorge Mendes, with the say-so of executive chairman Jeff Shi.
News of Sellars’ departure comes at a time of change for Wolves, with Julen Lopetegui the club’s new head coach.
Steve Madeley·
West Bromwich Albion Staff Writer
November 24, 2022 at 11:19 AM EST
Chelsea to face Aston Villa in Abu Dhabi
Graham Potter’s side will play a friendly on December 11 against Aston Villa.
Kick-off will be at 6:10pm local time, that is 2:10pm GMT, and Chelsea fans can also purchase tickets for the match at the Al Nahyan Stadium.
Simon Johnson·
Chelsea Correspondent
November 24, 2022 at 11:00 AM EST
KICK OFF: Portugal 0-0 Ghana
Ali Humayun
November 24, 2022 at 10:12 AM EST
Catch up on the Totally Football Show
Ali Humayun
November 24, 2022 at 10:00 AM EST
FULL TIME: Uruguay 0-0 South Korea
Another goalless draw at the World Cup but entertaining nonetheless.
Uruguay came closer to grabbing the winner, hitting the woodwork twice, but Ui-jo should also have scored for South Korea.
Neither side really showed enough quality to score, and Group H looks like it will be tight.
Ali Humayun
November 24, 2022 at 9:32 AM EST
Hazard criticises Germany World Cup protest: ‘They would have done better to win’
Eden Hazard has suggested Germany would have been better off focusing on winning rather than protesting over the OneLove armband ban.
The German national team covered their mouths in their team photo as a protest against the decision not to allow them to wear the OneLove captain’s armband — which was a planned anti-discrimination message.
They went on to lose 2-1 on Wednesday to Japan in one of the shock results of the World Cup so far.
And Hazard admitted he had been reluctant to wear the armband after the possibility he would be given a yellow card was made clear.
“Afterwards they lost the match,” Hazard told RMC Sport. “They would have done better not to do it and to win.”
Ali Humayun
GO FURTHER
Eden Hazard jokingly mocks Germany for World Cup protest: ‘They would have done better to win’
November 24, 2022 at 8:58 AM EST
The Athletic Football Podcast
There’s a lot to dissect after nearly five days of World Cup football…
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
“This team realised – in a very painful way – that they can’t trust each other.”
Germany are staring down the barrel of back-to-back World Cup group stage exits.@honigstein discusses the Japan defeat 🇩🇪
🎙️ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗣𝗢𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧 pic.twitter.com/luyQ8i5dIB
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 24, 2022
November 24, 2022 at 8:33 AM EST
Follow Uruguay vs South Korea live
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
November 24, 2022 at 7:37 AM EST
Previewing Uruguay vs South Korea
Need something to fill the time before Uruguay – South Korea? Give the Totally Football Show a listen now. Host James Richardson does his best to cheer up German correspondent Rafa Honigstein and the team look ahead to Portugal’s clash with Ghana. Listen now.
Iain Macintosh
November 24, 2022 at 6:41 AM EST
Wales chief exec on OneLove armband threat: ‘It was pretty cheap and pretty low’
Wales chief executive Neil Mooney has spoken about the situation regarding the OneLove armband that his nation and others had been planning to wear, but abandoned after a threat of sporting sanction from FIFA.
Mooney told ITV: “For months and months we have known we were going to wear the OneLove armband and they certainly did. To lay that one on us is pretty cheap and pretty low, to be frank. We are really disappointed by that attitude.
“We have been absolutely furious about this. We have given FA everything we have got in terms of how furious we are about this decision. We think it was a terrible decision.
“I understand why everybody would be upset about the OneLove armband not being there but there was no way we could ask Gareth Bale to take a yellow or red card at his first world cup, how could you do that? Anybody who thinks the player can just take a red card like that, they don’t really understand the psyche of a professional athlete who is going out to play the biggest moment of their lives.”
(Photo: Getty Images)
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
November 24, 2022 at 6:23 AM EST
Here’s today’s games
Switzerland are currently beating Cameroon 1-0 in Group G’s opener, with three more fixtures to come later on.
- Uruguay vs South Korea (1pm GMT / 8am ET / 5am PT) – Group H
- Portugal vs Ghana (4pm / 11am / 8am) – Group H
- Brazil vs Serbia (7pm / 2pm / 11am) – Group G
(Photo: Getty Images)
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
November 24, 2022 at 5:45 AM EST
An interview with Saudi Arabia’s Herve Renard
Oli Kay spoke to the man who masterminded Saudi Arabia’s incredible win over Argentina.
Renard has had quite some journey…
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
An interview with Hervé Renard, mastermind of Saudi Arabia’s shock victory over Argentina.
* His days as a cleaner
* Managing @CambridgeUtdFC
* That incredible, emotional AFCON win with Zambia 🇿🇲
* Klopp’s teeth
* And of course That White Shirthttps://t.co/TFP1Z1n97D— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) November 24, 2022
November 24, 2022 at 4:54 AM EST
Switzerland vs Cameroon live!
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
November 24, 2022 at 4:31 AM EST
Previewing Switzerland vs Cameroon
Need something to listen to ahead of the Switzerland – Cameroon game? Try The Athletic Football Podcast. Host Adam Leventhal is joined by Rafa Honigstein to discuss that astonishing Japanese victory over Germany. It’s just 30mins long, so you’ll be done in time for kick off!
Iain Macintosh
November 24, 2022 at 4:27 AM EST
So, what are the USMNT doing for Thanksgiving?
Today is American Thanksgiving, but the USMNT play England tomorrow in what is a huge World Cup game.
So what are Gregg Berhalter’s team doing?
Sam Stejskal and Paul Tenorio have the answers.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
