Speaking to the Mirror, Neymar said: “Long before the tournament started, I highlighted Belgium as a team that can be a big surprise”.
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This combination of photos shows fans of Brazil (L) and Belgium supporting their team during the Russian Federation 2018 World Cup football tournament.
Two of the pre-tournament favourites collide in Nizhny Novgorod on Friday evening at 7pm, as Brazil and Belgium clash in their World Cup quarter-final.
“A football match should never be settled with the horror of penalties. I think it’s a way to hide your fear”, he told a news conference Thursday.
“For me, there has to be another way”.
The Manchester United striker has scored four goals at Russian Federation 2018 and mixed them with some more delicate moments, such as the sublime dummy that set up Nacer Chadli’s victor against Japan, too. After Brazil’s 2-0 win over Mexico in the Round of 16, Brazilian newspaper Globo ran the headline, “Neymar has charmed Brazil, but annoyed the whole world”.
A stingy Brazil team has only conceded once in the tournament and Lukaku said it is hard to find weaknesses.
Since then he has been a key member of the Tite squad that sailed through qualifying and is among a band of unsung heroes that have helped Brazil’s campaign keep ticking along in Russian Federation, even as Neymar’s mix of brilliance and histrionics have hogged the headlines.
“I think offensively they’re very strong”. In spite of the hiccups, Neymar has scored two of Brazil’s seven goal so far.
Danilo played in Brazil’s opener against Switzerland but missed the matches against Costa Rica and Serbia because of a right hip injury sustained in training.
‘Even referees could be influenced by this controversy and punish Neymar unfairly, but he must try to relax and I believe manager Tite will try to calm him down, telling him to just play his game as always’.
“When we counter-attack, our speed is crucial in turning things around”.
However, there were calls for Liverpool striker, Roberto Firmino to replace the out-of-form Gabriel Jesus in Brazil’s side after his goal against Mexico.
“They can all go man to man thanks to their ability to dribble, feint and produce a touch of magic”.
Tite also announced that Marcelo will return at left-back against Belgium.
Only Germany and Argentina, with four wins each, have won more World Cup shootouts than Brazil. “The pressure is enormous”, he said. I hope the family can keep their heads cool.
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There is a worry for Brazil heading into the Belgium match: The team will be without midfielder Casemiro, who is suspended after picking up a second yellow card in the 2-0 win over Mexico in the round of 16.
