Neymar couldn’t hold back the tears following Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Scotland in the World Cup.
But it wasn’t the result that was making him emotional.
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No, it was because after an ACL injury and several other setbacks, he appeared for his national team for the first time in nearly 1,000 days.
It was 981 days since Neymar last pulled on the Brazilian jersey in October 2023.
But when he came on in the second half of the game in Miami for Matheus Cunha, it marked a huge landmark for the star forward.
Neymar is his country’s record goalscorer, and his arrival on the pitch was one of the loudest cheers of the night.
He was a doubt to be involved at any point of the group stage after suffering a hamstring problem, but Neymar made it.
And as he and the rest of the team soaked in the adulation for topping the group, it all got a bit too much for him.
Brazil legend Ronaldinho also joined Neymar on the pitch and embraced him.
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Neymar’s return
Given he’s been off the international stage for so long, it’s not clear just how much the Brazil fans expected of Neymar.
In the end, he lost the ball nine times, and started his cameo very sluggishly.
The former Barcelona forward was deployed in a false nine role and appeared to be taking too many touches.
But by the end, he seemed to be in a groove.
He delivered one wonderful corner that was cleared at the far post and rifled in an excellent shot that Angus Gunn held.
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Brazil finding form
It was a great night for Carlo Ancelotti’s side as they dispatched Scotland and welcomed Neymar back.
The South American giants also topped the group ahead of Morocco.
The night started perfectly as Scott McKenna took an awful touch receiving a pass from Gunn.
He was then tackled by Rayan, and the ball dropped for Vinicius Junior, and he tucked home.
They thought they had a second not long after as Vinicius robbed Jack Hendry and scored.
But VAR decided that the Real Madrid star fouled his man, and the goal was chalked off.
However, he did get his second before half time.
A loose Andy Robertson pass was seized upon by Matheus Cunha, and he played it to Bruno Guimaraes.
The Newcastle United star lifted a cross to the far post, and Vinicius Jr peeled off his man to head home.
That takes him to four goals for the tournament, and he’s right in the Golden Boot race.
In the second half, Brazil eased off, but they still grabbed a third.
Guimaraes received a pass, out-muscled his man and danced into the area.
He laid the ball off for Cunha, who slotted home, and that moves Guimaraes level on three assists with Michael Olise.
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