Cristiano Ronaldo claimed a piece of World Cup history on Thursday as Brazil
were rocked by an injury scare to captain Neymar after a hardfought 2-0 victory
over Serbia.
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Ronaldo became the first man to score in five different editions of the
World Cup as he slotted home a controversial penalty to help Portugal down
Ghana 3-2 in their Group H clash.
The typically ice-cold spot-kick was Ronaldo's eighth career goal at the
World Cup and comes after a tumultuous week which saw the star forward make a
sensational exit from Manchester United after weeks of tensions with the club.
"It was a beautiful moment, my fifth World Cup, we won, and we started
with our good foot," Ronaldo said after the win.
"It's a very important win, we know the first match is crucial, but the
world record is also something that makes me very proud."
But there was controversy surrounding the penalty, which was awarded after
Ronaldo crashed theatrically to the turf following minimal contact with Ghana
defender Mohammed Salisu.
Furious Ghana coach Otto Addo described the penalty decision as a
"gift" to Ronaldo.
"I think it was a really wrong decision, we were playing the ball... I don't
know why VAR didn't come up, there is no explanation," Addo said.
"If somebody scores a goal then congrats, but it was really a gift... a
special gift from the referee."
In Thursday's late game, Brazil were rocked by an injury scare involving
captain Neymar after two goals from Richarlison secured a 2-0 win over Serbia
in Group G.
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar was substituted with 11 minutes
remaining and was later seen with a badly swollen right ankle as he left the
field.
It was the latest in a series of injury dramas surrounding the Brazilian
talisman, whose 2014 World Cup was ended by a back injury.
The Brazilian skipper was also ruled out of the 2019 Copa America due to
torn ligaments in the same right ankle. He also missed 10 weeks of the 2021/2022
season with an injured left ankle.
Brazilian team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said after the win it was too early to
give a clear prognosis on his latest knock.
"We need to wait 24 to 48 hours to have a better assessment,"
Lasmar said.
"We need to wait, we cannot make any premature comments about his
evolution."
Brazil coach Tite however said he was confident Neymar would be fit for the
remainder of the tournament.
"You can be certain that Neymar is going to play in the World
Cup," Tite told reporters.
The injury took the shine off a Brazilian win that came through goals from
Tottenham's Richarlison, including a spectacular volleyed second goal.
"It's a childhood dream come true," Richarlison said
afterwards.
"We played a good game, especially in the second half, when the
opponent got tired, and we managed to take advantage of that."
- Cameroon misery -
Switzerland and Cameroon, also in Brazil's group, kicked off Thursday's
action in Qatar, with the Swiss winning 1-0 courtesy of a goal from
Cameroon-born Breel Embolo.
The forward struck three minutes into the second half at Al Janoub Stadium
as Switzerland secured a vital three points.
Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler worked the ball out wide on the right to
Xherdan Shaqiri, whose low cross into the area was swept home by an unmarked
Embolo, who chose not to celebrate against his birth country.
"It's quite special for him because of his links to Cameroon -- I'm
very happy he's playing for us," said Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
"He's always right there when you need him."
Defeat condemned Cameroon to their eighth straight loss at World Cups -- a
miserable run stretching all the way back to 2002.
In Thursday's other game, the return of Tottenham star Son Heung-min was not
enough to inspire South Korea to victory with the Asian side grinding out a 0-0
draw with Uruguay in Group H.
The striker wore a mask to protect the injury he suffered while playing in
the Champions League for Spurs as South Korea took a point in their opener.
The 30-year-old had surgery for fractures around his left eye just three
weeks ago and this was his first time playing competitively since.
"I feel ok, I'm not the only one to wear a mask, some players wear
masks. I feel comfortable," he told reporters afterwards.
"I'm just happy to be here, happy with the mask that I could play, it's
just so amazing."
Meanwhile, the shockwaves from Germany's monumental upset defeat to Japan on
Wednesday continued to reverberate, with coach Hansi Flick warning no member of
his team was safe after the 2-1 loss.
The four-time champions, who next face Spain, are facing a nightmare
scenario of a second consecutive group-stage exit after their early departure
in Russia in 2018.
"You can understand that we are discussing every matter of personnel
and every position," Flick said.
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