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Brazil Coach: Neymar Will be Available to Play vs. Scotland

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group C - Brazil v Morocco - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - June 13, 2026 Brazil's Neymar Jr. looks on before the match REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group C - Brazil v Morocco - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - June 13, 2026 Brazil's Neymar Jr. looks on before the match REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
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Brazil Coach: Neymar Will be Available to Play vs. Scotland

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group C - Brazil v Morocco - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - June 13, 2026 Brazil's Neymar Jr. looks on before the match REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group C - Brazil v Morocco - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - June 13, 2026 Brazil's Neymar Jr. looks on before the match REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

After Brazil defeated Haiti 3-0 in their second World Cup match on Friday night, Selecao coach Carlo Ancelotti said he expects Neymar to be available for the Group C finale.

Neymar, 34, has been rehabbing a right calf ailment. He last played for Santos in Brazil's top flight on May 17.

The Selecao will oppose Scotland on Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Fla., needing only a win or a draw to advance to the round of 32.

"Neymar will be training tomorrow individually, and on Monday, he's going to be training with the rest of the team," Ancelotti said in the post-match press conference via an interpreter. "He will be available for ⁠the match against Scotland."

Injuries ⁠limited Neymar during Brazil's 2026 qualifying campaign. However, he was influential when he played, scoring twice and contributing three assists in four appearances.

Meanwhile, Ancelotti did not commit to continuing with Matheus Cunha at center forward despite the Manchester United player's first-half brace against Haiti. Cunha started in place of Igor Thiago after coming on in the ⁠61st minute of Brazil's 1-1 draw with Morocco in their tournament opener.

"He may," Reuters quoted Ancelotti as saying when asked if Cunha would remain in the center forward role.

"I think that Matheus' position was a good position for creating problems to the defense," Ancelotti said. "And he filtered his passes very well, and his position was a good position to be effective at the front.

"It can be an option. We discussed this yesterday. I don't want a clear identity. Maybe we will change this on the next match."

Brazil, on four points, currently lead ⁠Morocco on ⁠goal-difference in Group C after the Atlas Lions defeated Scotland 1-0 earlier Friday.

The Scots could be playing for their tournament lives on Wednesday, but Ancelotti insisted he is focusing on the bigger picture.

"We don't think about knocking out. We think about playing well and improving, and we analyze the match," Ancelotti said. "If we can reach the first position of the group, that would be important for the future. So we want to prepare well for that match.

"Scotland has its features. It can create a problem. It created problems to Morocco today. And so we have to focus on the match and be calm and be tranquil and keep on working to improve."

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Naomi Osaka Could Quit Tennis if Daughter Asks Her To

Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP
Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP
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Naomi Osaka Could Quit Tennis if Daughter Asks Her To

Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP
Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP

Former world number one Naomi Osaka cast doubt on her future Sunday saying she would consider quitting tennis if her three-year-old daughter asked her to.

The four-time Grand Slam champion from Japan took 15 months away from the sport after the birth of her daughter Shai, before returning in 2023, AFP said.

She is in Tokyo to play at the Pan Pacific Open this week and said becoming a mother had reshaped her priorities.

"I wouldn't say I'm part-timing it but my entire day doesn't consist of that," said the 29-year-old, now ranked 19 in the world.

"It's tough, sometimes I look towards my future and I often wonder how long I'm going to play.

"Because if my daughter did say she didn't want me to travel as much, I'm not the type of person to ignore that."

Osaka also stepped away from tennis in 2021 to prioritize her mental health.

She said her "mindset is changing a lot" with age.

"My daughter is my biggest priority," she said.

"I try my best to put as much energy as I can into tennis.

"If I think about it in certain ways, I'm really proud of where I am now because it's not like I can dedicate my entire time to the sport."

- Online abuse -

Osaka said juggling her duties as a player and a mother was something she was "figuring out little by little".

She also offered support to the American Coco Gauff, who said she had received an "insane" amount of racist abuse on the internet at this month's China Open.

World number five Gauff, who is Black, said the experience had been "kind of draining".

Osaka, whose mother is Japanese and father from Haiti, said "nobody should have to go through that".

"It's sad but I'm used to it on my end," she said.

"I feel like for me, I've dealt with that my entire career through decisions that I make that seem to make some people upset. It's tough."

Osaka said efforts made by women's tennis governing body the WTA to combat social media abuse did not "ever seem to fully work all the way".

"I know that some people are like, OK, if it bothers you that much, stay off social media," said Osaka.

"But sometimes that's the best way to connect with your fans.

"From my end, what I do about it is I don't really go on social media at all."

Osaka is seeded seven in Tokyo and plays Italy's Jasmine Paolini in the first round.

World number one Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Philippines sensation Alexandra Eala are also competing.

Osaka said she was "not far off" refinding her best form and was "optimistic for next year".

Sports

De Zerbi Hails ‘Complete’ Spurs After Historic Win at Chelsea

Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)
Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)
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De Zerbi Hails ‘Complete’ Spurs After Historic Win at Chelsea

Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)
Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)

Roberto De Zerbi said Tottenham's historic 2-0 victory against London rivals Chelsea proved his side have a winning mentality as they banished their dismal start to the season.

Tottenham won at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League for just the second time in 36 years and the first since 2018.

Trips across the capital to west London have largely been fruitless experiences for Tottenham over the last four decades.

But De Zerbi's men enjoyed a memorable visit to the Bridge on Saturday thanks to a comical own goal from Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders and a late wonder-goal from Mathys Tel after Blues star Cole Palmer was sent off.

"It was a big moment for the fans, the club and the players also. They deserved this win, they prepared very well," De Zerbi said.

"We are improving a lot, we are improving in the mentality, in the group and the relationships with the players and then we are improving on the pitch."

Tottenham started the season on a dismal run of six league games without a win, raising the specter of another relegation battle after they narrowly avoided dropping into the Championship on the final day of last season.

With the pressure mounting on De Zerbi, the Italian has drawn his players closer together thanks to meals together and a trip to Marbella.

- 'The spirit, the belief' -

A win against promoted Coventry on Monday lifted the tension around the north London club and vanquishing Chelsea was another reward for De Zerbi's team-building ethos.

"Now it is a complete team. When we stay for dinner and stay together in the dressing room, I see a different group, a different relationship and different atmosphere among the players," he said.

"The character was today great, but we have many, many new players. The players who stayed here last season, two or three seasons ago, they suffered the last results, two times 17th position, we are working to change the last part of the history of the club."

Tottenham were beginning to lose the faith of their long-suffering fans after another miserable start to the season.

But De Zerbi was adamant he never doubted they would get back on track.

"I have to believe for sure in this group. I never lost the confidence in my players," he said.

"The week in Marbella, to speak better face to face, to open ourselves and remove the mask it is important.

"It is important for the spirit, the belief. The atmosphere inside the dressing room is maybe more important than the tactics."

For Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, it was a painful setback as the optimism engendered by successive victories over Bournemouth and Everton was washed away on a rain-lashed evening.

Alonso's expensively assembled team sit in fourth place but remain very much a work in progress after the third league loss of his first season in charge.

"We are all disappointed with the result, with the performance collectively and individually we were not at our best level," he said.

"It was about the first goal and it went their way and with 10 men it was difficult but we can do better."

Alonso refused to blame Penders and Palmer for their roles in the defeat.

"We feel for everyone, it is a team thing, a collective. We have to move on," he said before adding he "hadn't seen" Palmer's two bookings.

Sports

Verstappen’s Advice to Antonelli: Enjoy the Ride and Celebrate

Pole winner Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, center, of Italy, poses with second place qualifier Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, left, of the Netherlands, and third place qualifier Red Bull driver Yuki Isack Hadjar, of France, following qualifying for the Formula One United States Grand Prix auto race in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP)
Pole winner Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, center, of Italy, poses with second place qualifier Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, left, of the Netherlands, and third place qualifier Red Bull driver Yuki Isack Hadjar, of France, following qualifying for the Formula One United States Grand Prix auto race in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP)
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Verstappen’s Advice to Antonelli: Enjoy the Ride and Celebrate

Pole winner Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, center, of Italy, poses with second place qualifier Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, left, of the Netherlands, and third place qualifier Red Bull driver Yuki Isack Hadjar, of France, following qualifying for the Formula One United States Grand Prix auto race in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP)
Pole winner Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, center, of Italy, poses with second place qualifier Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, left, of the Netherlands, and third place qualifier Red Bull driver Yuki Isack Hadjar, of France, following qualifying for the Formula One United States Grand Prix auto race in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP)

Max Verstappen advised Kimi Antonelli to enjoy the ride and get ready to celebrate as the Italian stands on the brink of becoming Formula One's youngest ever champion.

The 20-year-old Mercedes driver qualified on pole position for Sunday's US Grand Prix and could clinch the title with five rounds to spare at Austin's Circuit of the Americas if he wins and other results go his way.

Red Bull's Verstappen, a four-time champion, will be alongside on the ‌front row ‌and fighting for his third successive victory after Malaysia and ‌Singapore.

The ⁠Dutch driver will ⁠not be making it easy for Antonelli, but he also recognized that the main battle was over.

"He knows what he's doing, so he just needs to try and win the race. If it (the title) doesn't happen here, it will happen next weekend. If it doesn't happen next weekend, it will happen the weekend after," he said, sitting alongside Antonelli in a post-qualifying press conference.

"I think it's just been an ⁠incredible season, so you have to also just try and ‌enjoy this kind of ride of the last ‌few months that you've been in.

"At one point, of course, it's official, and then ‌you can celebrate probably a little bit."

Verstappen said Antonelli, who is 102 points ‌clear of teammate and closest rival George Russell, deserved all the success he was having.

"He's very consistent, he's putting the performances in when it matters, and once it's finally official that he is world champion, he's definitely a deserving winner," he said.

Antonelli said the weekend ‌did feel different, with his first "match point" in the championship, but the goal remained the same.

"We still have to ⁠do the race ⁠tomorrow, still have to try and win, and then, of course, we'll see what happens. But yeah, I feel like I can enjoy it a bit more because obviously I'm in a very good position," he said.

The Italian added that his biggest immediate achievement, on a gusty day with a tailwind blowing, had been to keep his car within the track limits.

The Italian has regularly fallen foul of stewards and irritated team boss Toto Wolff with his breaches of the limits this season.

"One of the keys was not doing any track limits. That was very good for me because I've had a couple of races where I've done track limits in crucial moments, and that kind of put myself in a bad position and under more pressure. So that hasn't been ideal," he told Sky Sports television.