Brazil without Neymar as Portugal Target World Cup Last 16

Brazil's forward Neymar warms up before a friendly football match between Brazil and Tunisia at the Parc des Princes in Paris on September 27, 2022 FRANCK FIFE AFP
Brazil's forward Neymar warms up before a friendly football match between Brazil and Tunisia at the Parc des Princes in Paris on September 27, 2022 FRANCK FIFE AFP
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Brazil without Neymar as Portugal Target World Cup Last 16

Brazil's forward Neymar warms up before a friendly football match between Brazil and Tunisia at the Parc des Princes in Paris on September 27, 2022 FRANCK FIFE AFP
Brazil's forward Neymar warms up before a friendly football match between Brazil and Tunisia at the Parc des Princes in Paris on September 27, 2022 FRANCK FIFE AFP

Brazil must do without injured star forward Neymar against Switzerland at the World Cup on Monday as Cristiano Ronaldo looks to lead Portugal into the last 16 in Qatar.

Five-time world champions Brazil could secure a spot in the knockout phase with a win over the Swiss depending on the outcome of the day's early game between Serbia and Cameroon.

Brazil kicked off their campaign in Qatar with a 2-0 victory over Serbia in Group G but Neymar limped off with a sprained ankle, said AFP.

"At the time it was difficult for him and after the game he was sad which I think is normal given how much he has dreamt of this," said Brazil center-back Marquinhos.

"Now, after the tests and the treatment, he is doing physiotherapy 24 hours a day which shows how much he wants to be back with us.

"We don't know when, but we hope it's as soon as possible."

Ronaldo became the first man to score in five World Cups after converting a disputed penalty in Portugal's opening 3-2 victory over Ghana in Group H.

The Portuguese will qualify for the second round if they beat Uruguay at the Lusail Stadium, which will host the final on December 18.

Danilo Pereira has been ruled out of the rest of the group stage after fracturing three ribs in training, meaning 39-year-old Pepe is likely to start in defense.

It would make him the second oldest outfield player ever to appear in a World Cup match, after Cameroon great Roger Milla.

Cameroon lost to Switzerland in their first game so will attempt to bounce back against Serbia, who are being investigated by FIFA after the team hung a controversial flag depicting Kosovo in their changing room before their loss to Brazil.

South Korea coach Paulo Bento says the team will see a "different" Son Heung-min against Ghana after the forward got used to his protective face mask during their 0-0 draw with Uruguay.

Before coming to Qatar, Son had surgery to repair a fracture around his left eye he suffered while playing for Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month.

"First he needed to feel at ease with his teammates and afterwards with the opponents. The second game will be different," said Bento.

- Germany have hope -
Germany gave themselves a chance of qualifying for the last 16 after substitute Niclas Fuellkrug snatched a late equalizer to earn a 1-1 draw with Spain on Sunday.

Alvaro Morata had put Spain ahead in the 62nd minute of a tense meeting at Al Bayt Stadium between the winners of two of the last three World Cups.

After crashing to a shock defeat to Japan in their first game, Germany must have woken up on Sunday with fears of a second consecutive group-stage exit looming in their minds.

But even before they held Spain, the Germans were helped by Costa Rica, who bounced back from a 7-0 drubbing by Spain to beat Japan 1-0. Defender Keysher Fuller scored the only goal in the 81st minute.

It means Group E is finely poised. Germany can go through if they beat the Costa Ricans on Thursday and Spain avoid defeat to Japan.

"The important thing is we are still alive," said Germany captain Manuel Neuer.

Belgium's hopes of qualifying from Group F took a severe blow as they suffered a surprise 2-0 loss to Morocco.

A victory for Belgium would have sent them into the knockout phase but Romain Saiss and Zakaria Aboukhlal's late goals instead secured Morocco's first World Cup win in 24 years.

"We're not playing with joy. It's maybe the weight on our shoulders," said Belgium coach Roberto Martinez.

In Sunday's other Group F game, Croatia went behind to Canada when Alphonso Davies scored after just two minutes before the 2018 beaten finalists romped to a 4-1 win.

Croatia now need just a draw with Belgium in their final group game on Thursday to reach the last 16, but the Belgians have to beat them to be sure of going through.

Morocco will be confident of taking a point from Canada to reach the second phase for the first time since 1986, while the eliminated Canadians will be playing just for pride.



Ronaldo Double Drives Al Nassr to Record 10th Straight Win

Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Al Okhdood - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 27, 2025 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo with teammates celebrate after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Al Okhdood - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 27, 2025 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo with teammates celebrate after the match. (Reuters)
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Ronaldo Double Drives Al Nassr to Record 10th Straight Win

Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Al Okhdood - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 27, 2025 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo with teammates celebrate after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Al Okhdood - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 27, 2025 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo with teammates celebrate after the match. (Reuters)

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Al Nassr beat struggling Al Okhdood 3-0 on Saturday to become the first team in Saudi Pro League history to win their opening 10 matches, setting a new record and extending their perfect start to the season.

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 31st ‌minute with a ‌close-range finish after ‌a ⁠corner and ‌added a spectacular backheel in first-half stoppage time to take his tally to 12 goals this season.

The Portuguese forward now sits joint-top of the scoring chart alongside teammate João Félix, who ⁠sealed the victory with a late strike in ‌second-half stoppage time.

The win ‍keeps Al Nassr ‍top of the table with 30 ‍points from 10 matches, four clear of nearest rivals Al Hilal.

By achieving 10 consecutive wins, Al Nassr surpassed the previous best start in the league’s history — nine straight victories by Al ⁠Hilal in the 2018-2019 season under Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who now leads Al Nassr.

Ronaldo, who also had a third goal ruled out for offside in the 65th minute, continues to dominate in a campaign with Al Nassr.

The match came after the resumption of the league following the Arab ‌Cup in Qatar earlier this month, won by Morocco.


Mane Rescues AFCON Draw for Senegal Against DR Congo

 Senegal's Sadio Mane reacts after scoring a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP)
Senegal's Sadio Mane reacts after scoring a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP)
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Mane Rescues AFCON Draw for Senegal Against DR Congo

 Senegal's Sadio Mane reacts after scoring a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP)
Senegal's Sadio Mane reacts after scoring a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP)

Sadio Mane's equalizer earned 2022 champions Senegal a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in their heavyweight Africa Cup of Nations clash on Saturday.

Cedric Bakambu had given the Leopards the lead just after the hour mark in Tangiers but Al Nassr forward Mane replied soon after and the result ensures Senegal stay on top of Group D with one round of matches still to play.

Both teams have four points but Senegal have a superior goal difference before their final group match against Benin on Tuesday.

Benin have three points after a 1-0 victory earlier Saturday in Rabat against Botswana, who are bottom without a point or a goal scored.

Sebastien Desabre's Congolese side were seeking revenge after a dramatic defeat in the last meeting of the nations, in World Cup qualifying in September.

Senegal came from 2-0 down to win that encounter 3-2 in Kinshasa, a result which allowed them to go on and top their group to secure a place at next year's finals in North America.

DR Congo were therefore forced to settle for second place but can still make the World Cup if they win a one-off play-off against either New Caledonia or Jamaica in Mexico in March.

Senegal, fresh from beating Botswana 3-0 and seen as perhaps the biggest threat to Morocco's chances of winning the title on home soil, had more of the possession and more chances on the day.

However, the Leopards took the lead in the 61st minute when Theo Bongonda -- scorer of the only goal in their opening win against Benin -- had a shot at the end of a fine move parried by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Real Betis striker Bakambu pounced to convert the loose ball.

But Senegal were only behind for eight minutes, their equalizer coming after a superb run by teenage substitute Ibrahim Mbaye.

The 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain winger Mbaye, who was born in France and represented them up to Under-20 level, recently committed his international future to Senegal, for whom he qualifies through one of his parents.

He replaced Ismaila Sarr just after Bakambu's opener, and made the leveler from a penetrating run down the right.

Mbaye burst away from Arthur Masuaku, who appeared to injure himself going to tackle, and then saw his shot blocked by Lionel Mpasi, but Mane was on hand to score.

It was a 10th AFCON goal for former Liverpool superstar Mane, who is appearing at his sixth tournament.


Man City Go Top With 2-1 Win at Forest After Cherki Heroics

 27 December 2025, United Kingdom, Nottingham: Manchester City's Rayan Cherki (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammate Erling Haaland during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at the City Ground. (Barrington Coombs/PA Wire/dpa_
27 December 2025, United Kingdom, Nottingham: Manchester City's Rayan Cherki (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammate Erling Haaland during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at the City Ground. (Barrington Coombs/PA Wire/dpa_
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Man City Go Top With 2-1 Win at Forest After Cherki Heroics

 27 December 2025, United Kingdom, Nottingham: Manchester City's Rayan Cherki (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammate Erling Haaland during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at the City Ground. (Barrington Coombs/PA Wire/dpa_
27 December 2025, United Kingdom, Nottingham: Manchester City's Rayan Cherki (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammate Erling Haaland during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at the City Ground. (Barrington Coombs/PA Wire/dpa_

Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 to move provisionally to the top of the Premier League table after Rayan Cherki grabbed a goal and assist away at The City Ground on Saturday.

The French midfielder first threaded the pass for City's opener before striking an 83rd-minute winner from a set-piece to secure their eighth straight victory across all competitions.

The result moved City to 40 points, one ahead of Arsenal who face Brighton & Hove Albion later on Saturday. Forest remain in 17th place, nervously looking over their shoulder at a five-point gap between them and the relegation zone.

"When the games come we need just one thing: to win. We take the points because the championship is so long and so hard, so today is a big win," Cherki told TNT Sports.

"It's good for the team because the game was not simple."

City dominated ‌possession in a ‌goalless first half but struggled to break down Forest's compact defensive ‌shape, ⁠with striker Erling ‌Haaland largely isolated up front.

Forest's best chance fell to Morgan Gibbs-White, who failed to convert Callum Hudson-Odoi's cross in behind the defense early in the game.

CHERKI AND REIJNDERS FIND CITY BREAKTHROUGH

The breakthrough came within three minutes of the restart when Cherki slipped the ball through for Tijjani Reijnders and the Dutchman fired home from an angle to make it 1-0.

"Cherki knows how to find those passes and I could finish that one. He is very good, he finds spaces and when he gets the ball ⁠you have to be ready and in position," Reijnders said.

But City's lead lasted only six minutes as Forest launched a swift counter-attack ‌that ended with Igor Jesus crossing for Omari Hutchinson, who ‍took his shot first-time and beat Gianluigi ‍Donnarumma to score his first goal for the club.

Forest sensed victory but squandered chances when Jesus ‍and Nicolo Savona both shot over, while at the other end Phil Foden's effort was well saved by goalkeeper John Victor.

City's sustained pressure finally paid off when Josko Gvardiol headed down a corner kick for Cherki, who took it on the half-volley and sent a low drive from the edge of the box into the back of the net to restore their lead.

"All the kilos I won (gained) over Christmas time in weight, today I lost it. I am fit again. ⁠What a team Sean Dyche has made again. That's a really, really big three points," Guardiola said.

Forest's loss also extended Sean Dyche's winless record against Pep Guardiola to 17 Premier League games, the longest winless streak for a manager against another in the league.

DYCHE UNHAPPY WITH MATCH OFFICIALS

But Dyche blamed the match officials for the defeat, describing their performance as "unacceptable" after he felt decisions did not go their way.

Dyche complained that Gibbs-White was pushed to the ground for the second goal and could not get back up in time to block Cherki's shot.

"Unfortunately, the officials had a huge part of the game today and that's very unfortunate," Dyche said.

"We don't want that, but scratching my head now, I can't believe it. Just look back at some of the incidents, I just can't believe what I'm watching.

"There's ‌plenty of people here, there's TV cameras here, but everyone can see the performance today. But it's unacceptable, in my opinion, because it affects the game massively."