FIFA World Cup 2022 Day 9, Highlights: Neymar-less Brazil face an uphill task against Switzerland

Can #CMR or #SRB get their first win of #Qatar2022?

We'll find out in our first game of the day! 🙌

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 28, 2022

👋 The games keep on rolling at the #FIFAWorldCup

Which one are you most excited for today? 👇#Qatar2022

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 28, 2022

Even as Morocco stunned the football world with their 2-0 win over Belgium, their prized defender Achraf Hakimi, who has played for PSG alongside Leo Messi, ran towards the sidelines to meet his mother, who was wearing the Moroccan flag. She would plant a kiss on his cheeks, and he would kiss her forehead. He would remove his jersey and give her. The heartwarming picture went viral. There is a touching story behind it. Saida Mou, Ashraf’s mother, used to clean houses in Spain to try to provide a decent life for her son. [Read More]

Lionel Messi, the redeemer of Argentina with his first goal against Mexico, was seen at the training ground just a few hours after the late-night game. The Argentine newspapers have feverishly reported his movements in the morning after. There was a training for non-playing squad members at 11.00 am Qatari time at the training field of the University of Qatar. The squad does live there, itself, as they had chosen it instead of plush hotels. [Read More]

Saulo Canalo Alvarez, a world champion boxer from Mexico, has tweeted out a series of angry messages against Lionel Messi. He believes that Messi kicked a Mexican jersey insultingly inside Argentina’s locker room.

Last week, the world got to see what this monster of a midfielder does for his club. Two moments stand out particularly – the first was a shot so powerful that when he hit the upright, the thud could be heard despite the noise in the stands; a bit like how Tendulkar’s straight drives would drown out all other sounds. [Read More]

Hitchhiking from Lisbon to Doha 🚗

These Portuguese fans doing whatever it takes 🇵🇹 #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/51qeHCDkSL

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 28, 2022

Neymar damaged ligaments in his right ankle in the team’s 2-0 opening win over Serbia on Thursday and will miss the match against Switzerland on Monday. He remained hopeful of recovering but team doctors still haven’t given a timetable on his return — or said if he will return at all. [Read More]

Cameroon and Serbia both lost opening matches to set up a pivotal Group G match.

Serbia lost 2-0 to Brazil on a miserable night in which it didn't get a single shot on goal for its first loss in seven matches. Cameroon narrowly fell 1-0 to Switzerland and hasn't won in five consecutive matches.

A loss for either team — combined with a draw between Brazil and Switzerland — could send both Cameroon and Serbia to the final group stage game with nothing to play for at the World Cup.

Richarlison has scored nine goals in his last seven appearances for Brazil, and against Serbia became the eighth Brazilian to score a pair of goals in his World Cup debut, and the first since Neymar in 2014.

Brazil actually has quite a deep roster as it seeks a sixth World Cup title and its first in two decades, with Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and Rodrygo all ready to play against Switzerland.

The match Monday gives Cristiano Ronaldo a chance to avenge Portugal's loss in the round of 16 to Uruguay in 2018, even if it doesn't carry the same stakes. Uruguay's 2-1 win in Russia knocked Portugal out of the World Cup, and the most Monday's group stage match can do for Portugal is advance Ronaldo into the last 16 for the fourth time in his career.

Uruguay played to a 0-0 draw against South Korea and can't advance or be eliminated on Monday. But a loss would make Uruguay vulnerable headed into its final group stage match, and although not counted among the favorites, Uruguay is trying to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2010.

Uruguay won the World Cup in 1930 and 1950, but its recent history includes a fourth-place finish in 2010, the round of 16 in 2014 and the quarterfinals four years ago in Russia by beating Portugal.

When the 21-year old Enzo Fernandez scored a gorgeous second goal to ensure Argentina won the game against Mexico, Leonel Messi would say, “I’m not surprised by Enzo, I know him and I see him train every day. He deserves it, because he’s a spectacular player”. In 2016, after the Copa America tournament, when Messi had announced his retirement from playing for Argentina -a decision he would retract after two months, the teenaged Fernández penned an emotional letter to his hero, pleading with him to reconsider his decision. [Read More]

Qatar’s lush green carpets might feel like a world away from his dirt pitches in Montevideo. But if Uruguay hope to make it beyond the group stage, they’ll hope Valverde channels his inner spirit when they take on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal tonight. It’ll be a revenge match from Portugal’s point of view. At the 2018 World Cup, it was Edinson Cavani’s brace that ended Ronaldo & Co.’s campaign in the Round of 16. Now, Portugal have a chance to beat Uruguay, which would leave them on the brink of an early exit. [Read More]

Cameroon and Serbia both lost opening matches to set up a pivotal Group G match, Ghana will take on South Korea, and will look to sustain itself in the World Cup. Brazil to face Switzerland. Ronaldo will take revenge on Uruguay for knocking them out of the World Cup, 4 years ago. Stay tuned for live updates!