BRAZIL stars Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles have reportedly been ruled OUT of the World Cup with injuries.
The Arsenal star suffered a knee injury against Cameroon, while the Manchester United left-back also hobbled off in the 1-0 defeat.
But Brazil have been handed boost with Neymar set to return to action.
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar suffered ankle ligament damage inBrazil's opening game against Serbia which fans feared would rule him out of the whole tournament.
But a video went viral last night of the Brazilian magician doing some muscle work in the gym – trying to regain fitness for the knock-out stages.
One side that will not be in the last-16 is Uruguay having lost out to South Korea on goal difference and forward Edison Cavani took out his frustration by PUNCHING a VAR monitor after the game.
- Netherlands vs USA
- Argentina vs Australia
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Stay tuned with all the latest ahead from tournament…
- Kiro Evans
'I fear England the most'
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has admitted fearing England "the most" in the World Cup knockouts.
The former midfielder thinks his native France will not want to play against the Three Lions.
Speaking to Midnite, Petit said: "I fear England the most. There are four teams that are different for me, there's England, Brazil, Spain and France. They're the teams that have shown something different.
"Gareth Southgate has received so much criticism recently but I have confidence in him. England have improved and it's very difficult to win big tournaments. I'm not sure if Southgate will still be England's manager after the World Cup but it's time for England to make a point and he is doing the right things."
- Kiro Evans
Time After Time
THE clampdown on time-wasting at the World Cup has resulted in over TEN HOURS of additional time being played in the group stages in Qatar.
And research by Midnite can reveal that in total that has meant 640 minutes of stoppage time have been played already in 2022’s World Cup.
That equates to enough time for seven full 90 minute matches being played, which would be enough to contend a whole group consisting of four teams, with a game to spare.
That has already surpassed the amount of added time played at Russia 2018 throughout the entire tournament, in 18 fewer matches played.
- Kiro Evans
Dutch Courage v American Dreams
It's the first last-16 clash this afternoon as Holland take on the USA from 3pm.
It is set to be first ever competitive meeting between the sides after five friendlies previously.
In that collection, the US only have one win (4-3 in 2015) but will be hoping to extend that record this afternoon.
Gregg Berhalter's side have impressed at this tournament and escaped a difficult looking group.
They and Holland are one of only five nations yet to taste defeat across the ridiculously bonkers group stages.
With Louis Van Gaal looking to drag his nation to the first ever World Cup, do they have enough to get past America? And will Cody Gakpo score again?
- Kiro Evans
Jesus Wept
Brazil pair Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus have been ruled OUT of the World Cup, according to reports.
The Arsenal star suffered a knee injury against Cameroon, while the Manchester United also hobbled off in the 1-0 defeat.
Telles was withdrawn early in the second period on Friday, while the Arsenal man came off 10 minutes later.
According to Brazilian outlet Globo, the pair will play no further part in Qatar, with South Korea to come on Monday in the last-16.
- Kiro Evans
The Elite Club
Xherdan Shaqiri joined an exclusive club last night by scoring against Serbia.
The former Liverpool ace was on target as his country won 3-2 to secure a place in the round of 16. Shaqiri, 31, became just the third player to score at the last three World Cup finals in a row.
The only other two to have matched that feat are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Shaqiri, now of Chicago Fire in MLS, was part of Switzerland's squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa aged 18.
He failed to score that time around, receiving only 12 minutes of action – but he has put that right since in Brazil, Russia and now Qatar.
- Kiro Evans
Rashford MUST start tomorrow
Jack Wilshere has come out batting for Marcus Rashford to get a start against Senegal tomorrow.
Gareth Southgate is spoilt for choice after multiple players put themselves in the frame with an impressive second-half showing against Wales.
Wilshere exclusives says in the Sun: “Marcus didn’t play for England for 16 months from that final to the Iran game but he is right in the groove now and I would definitely start him against Senegal tomorrow.
“When we played against Australia [in 2016, on Rashford’s debut], Marcus didn’t actually have that good a good game but he had the knack of doing something special even if he was slightly off his game.”
Read Wilshere’s rave review of the Manchester United star here.
- Kiro Evans
Southgate's Handbrake
England fans should not expect to see teams stuffed with attacking players anytime soon, according to pundit Graeme Souness.
He said in the Mail: "We got a little insight into how Gareth Southgate’s football brain works — and how he sees football — when England played Wales this week.
"With the greatest respect to Wales, if you couldn’t be proactive that night, then whenever could you be? We’re talking about a game which had as little jeopardy as you’ll ever get in tournament football. The only risk England had of not qualifying that night was by losing 4-0."
"Don’t expect to see England minus the handbrake any time soon unless they’re chasing a game. Don’t expect to see a great deal of [Mason] Mount, or anything of [James] Maddison."
- Nyle Smith
England vs Senegal referee confirmed
El Salvador chemistry professor Ivan Barton is set to be in charge for England's World Cup last-16 clash against Senegal.
Barton, 31, impressed with his officiating in Germany's 2-1 loss to Japan.
And has now been rewarded with the chance to ref at his first ever World Cup round of 16 tie.
SunSport have all the info needed for England vs Senegal
- Nyle Smith
Luis Suarez breaks silence
Uruguyan icon Luis Suarez has launched a furious rant on FIFA's referees after his country were eliminated from the World Cup despite beating Ghana 2-0.
Suarez, 35, criticised the referee's decision to award Uruguay a late penalty when Darwin Nunez was taken down by Daniel Amartey.
The former Liverpool star said: "I see a penalty for Cavani because he is cut off by the defender and he puts his body in front of him. Darwin's is very clear too.
"They are not excuses, but incredible penalties are being awarded in this World Cup. And there is the committee of referees and FIFA, and they have to try to explain themselves better, at least."
- Kiro Evans
Latest from Qatar
Knockout football arrives in Qatar today.
Holland open the round of 16 against the USA at 3pm and Argentina take on Australia four hours later.
England boss Gareth Southgate is pondering his attacking options for tomorrow's clash with Senegal.
Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden destroyed Wales when stepping in for Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka.
Southgate's other main selection dilemma might be over midfielder Jordan Henderson, who drove the Three Lions forward against the Dragons after starting ahead of the more attack-minded Mason Mount.
Switzerland became the final team to qualify for the KO stages as they clung to a 3-2 victory over Serbia last night.
That gave the Swiss runners-up spot in Group G behind Brazil, who were shock 1-0 losers to Cameroon.
The much-changed Brazilians gave starts to Arsenal duo Gabriel Jesus and the impressive Gabriel Martinelli.
But Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar headed a spectacular stoppage-time winner – only to whip off his top and earn a second yellow card.
In other words, in the space of seconds, he single-handedly gave Cameroon hope of the goal spree they needed to overhaul Switzerland and then took it away.
In Group H, South Korea joined Portugal in the last 16 with a last-gasp 2-1 triumph over Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.
It left Luis Suarez in tears as Uruguay needed one more goal to overhaul the Koreans than the 2-0 victory over Ghana they achieved.
Off the field, Brazil are increasingly-confident Neymar will return following an ankle-ligament injury.
And France face a left-back injury crisis as Theo Hernandez is reportedly a doubt for tomorrow's clash with Poland.
- Ian Tuckey
Brazil and Cameroon in last 16
Cameroon’s first World Cup victory since 2002 – and a famous last-gasp one over tournament favourites Brazil – was not enough to put them through.
Switzerland joined Brazil in the last 16 after clinging on to a thrilling 3-2 victory against Serbia.
Cameroon 1 Brazil 0 – match reaction on our blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 3 – match reaction on our blog
- Ian Tuckey
Neymar boost for World Cup favourites
Brazil are hoping to get their talisman Neymar back in action as soon as possible, and have a posted a morale-boosting clip of him in training for the Samba faithful.
Neymar suffered ankle ligament damage in the opening game against Serbia.
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.
“Today he trained at the gym! Let’s go, Ney!
“Danilo and Alex Sandro also made individual works.”
- Ian Tuckey
Granit 'a master of dark arts'
Arsenal's Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka has been labelled a "mentality monster" after getting under the skin of the ENTIRE Serbia bench.
Xhaka helped the Swiss reach the World Cup last 16 with a 3-2 win and caused a raucous after making a gesture towards the Serbia bench.
With Switzerland holding on during the second half, he gestured towards the bench by grabbing his NUTS.
This act echoed Dusan Vlahovic who scored in the first half and celebrated by grabbing his nuts to hit back at claims he had an affair with a team-mate's wife.
Serbia's camp did not take it well, and stormed onto the pitch to create a melee in the middle of the heated exchange.
The game ended with an astonishing 11 yellow cards from both sides, with Serbia picking up five in total after Xhaka's gesture.
- Ian Tuckey
Came-moon shock
A Cameroon medic suffered an unwanted wardrobe malfunction during the historic win over Brazil.
They unfortunately showed off more than they would have wanted to while treating right-back Collins Fai.
Fai, 30, needed treatment in the 39th minute as he battled to keep Arsenal ace Gabriel Martinelli quiet on Brazil's left.
Cameroon's medics rushed onto the pitch to tend to the stricken defender.
They managed to patch up Fai, who played all 90 minutes as Cameroon pulled off one of the greatest results in their history to beat tournament favourites Brazil 1-0.
But one of the doctors accidentally showed off more than they bargained for as they knelt down to treat Fai.
They unknowingly exposed the top of their backside – sending social media wild in the process.
One Twitter user predicted: "That Cameroon medic about to become a meme." Another said: "Omg, that Cameroon Medic staff member forgot there are cameras around." A third joked: "Cameroon's football medic mooning billions of people is going to be the next meme."
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners 'set for more Torres talks'
Arsenal are expected to hold more talks with Facundo Torres’ representatives after Uruguay exited the World Cup.
The Gunners are said to have made approaches for the Orlando City winger, 22, last month.
Arsenal chief Mikel Arteta reportedly visited Florida this autumn but it's not clear if this had anything to do with Torres.
- Ian Tuckey
I'm Evra Su sorry… not really!
Patrice Evra revelled in Luis Suarez's World Cup heartbreak as he LIKED an Instagram photo of the Uruguay striker sobbing.
Suarez couldn't hold back the tears after his side were dramatically knocked out of the tournament on goals scored.
Hwang Hee-chan's last gasp 91st minute winner for South Korea against Portugal sent Suarez and Co home early.
The South Americans beat Ghana 2-0 but went out at the group stages on the same amount of points as South Korea, having scored two less goals.
While Suarez's team-mates reacted angrily to the defeat, including Edinson Cavani punching the VAR monitor, the 36-year-old started sobbing after hearing news of Hwang's late winner for South Korea.
And Manchester United legend Evra, 41, didn't seem to mind the result too much.
Evra liked a post from Instagram account 433 of Suarez in tears at full-time.
Suarez was banned for eight matches and fined £40,000 by the FA in 2011 after being found guilty of racially abusing Evra while playing for Liverpool.
He denied the allegations.
Suarez then famously refused to shake Evra's hand when he returned from his ban.
- Ian Tuckey
You've got the date Ron
Manchester United fans will still see Cristiano Ronaldo in 2023 — in the official club calendar.
The Portugal hitman’s exit last month was too late for him to be replaced as Mr January in the merchandise.
It has left the £10.99 product — “perfect for any Manchester United fan with images of players from the current squad” — badly out of date.
Ronaldo, 37, and United settled on a “mutually agreed” split after he slammed the club in an interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV.
During it he had said he had “no respect” for manager Erik ten Hag.
The club is now trying to cash in on what is left of their Ronaldo stock at knockdown prices.
T-shirts costing £20 and £10 mugs are now a fiver.
A keyring that cost £5 is now £2 in the club shop and also online.
Ronaldo, currently starring for Portugal at the World Cup in Qatar, is tipped to sign with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia in a £173million deal including wages and other endorsements.
- Ian Tuckey
Theo woe as France face left-back crisis
France face a left-back injury crisis as Theo Hernandez is reportedly in doubt for this weekend's action.
The winners face England or Serbia in the quarter-finals.
And Football-Italia report that Hernandez, 25, has picked up an ankle injury in training.
The AC Milan left-back missed training with his national team in Qatar on Friday.
He was promoted into the first team after his brother Lucas suffered a serious knee injury.
His sibling tore his ACL in France's opening game against Australia.
This means that Didier Deschamps could be without a natural left-sided full-back for Sunday's clash.
Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga played there against Tunisia on Wednesday in their final Group D game.
Les Bleus had already qualified so it is unknown if Deschamps was trying Camavinga at left-back with one eye on the knockout stages.
- Ian Tuckey
Brazil and Cameroon in last 16
Cameroon's first World Cup victory since 2002 – and a famous last-gasp one over tournament favourites Brazil – was not enough to put them through.
Switzerland joined Brazil in the last 16 after clinging on to a thrilling 3-2 victory against Serbia.
Cameroon 1 Brazil 0 – match reaction on our blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 3 – match reaction on our blog
- Ian Tuckey
Aboubakar sees red for celebrating goal
Vincent Aboubakar brilliantly headed Cameroon in front – but picked up a second yellow for taking his shirt off to celebrate.
Going down to ten men surely undermines the stoppage-time pressure Cameroon needed to apply in search of a couple more goals.
But it's still left Switzerland sweating – to hold onto their lead.
The Swiss currently are level with Brazil on six points – two ahead of Cameroon.
Cameroon 1 Brazil 0 – match reaction on our blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 3 – match reaction on our blog
- Ian Tuckey
Swiss go close…Cameroon take lead
Switzerland seem on course to join Brazil in the last 16 – as they hold on to their lead against Serbia with seven minutes of stoppage time to come.
And Cameroonwent in front early in seven minutes of stoppage time – but need another goal.
Cameroon 1 Brazil 0 – match reaction on our blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 3 – match reaction on our blog
- Ian Tuckey
Grim arrival for German flops
Germany's World Cup flops landed back in Munich after a dismal campaign in Qatar.
Hansi Flick's side were knocked out at the group stages for a second consecutive tournament.
Their 4-2 win over Costa Rica on Thursday wasn't enough to make it to the last 16 after Japan's highly controversial win over Spain.
And the Germans were quick to head home after their nightmare campaign.
They landed back in Munich on Friday looking glum following their group stage exit.
Captain Manuel Neuer donned a red beanie after arriving back in the cold from the Qatar desert.
Thomas Muller was also seen wheeling his suitcase after landing back at arrivals earlier than anticipated.
The 33-year-old may have played in his World Cup, having hinted at retirement after the early exit.
Muller said: "If that was my last game for Germany, a few words to the German fans: It was a tremendous pleasure.
"Thank you very much. I always tried to show heart on the pitch. Sometimes there were tears of joy, sometimes pain.
"I did it with love. I need to think about everything else now."
The same can possibly be said for Neuer, who will be 40 by the time of the next tournament.
Irrespective of this, the club should also attempt to land Felix this winter. They can not afford to wait until the summer with Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain also keen.
- Ian Tuckey
Brazil turn up the pressure
Brazil almost went in front three times amid frenetic spells in the Cameroon area.
Cameroon 0 Brazil 0 – match blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 3 – match blog
- Ian Tuckey
GOAL: Serbia 2 Switzerland 3
Remo Freuler drilled the Swiss in front for the second time in a real thriller, firing a left-footer into the bottom right corner.
And Cameroon came so close to taking the lead against Brazil.
Vincent Aboubakar sent keeper Ederson scrambling to divert the ball away.
Cameroon 0 Brazil 0 – match blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 3 – match blog
- Ian Tuckey
S/h under way…
Cameroon and Serbia NEED GOALS.
And Cameroon won an instant corner amid their bright start to the second period.
Cameroon 0 Brazil 0 – match blog
Serbia 2 Switzerland 2 – match blog
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