Neymar returns as Brazil stay top, Ochoa hailed, South Africa make history | OneFootball

Brazil stayed top of Group C as Neymar finally returned, while Guillermo Ochoa was hailed and South Africa reached new ground.

L'Équipe highlights a night defined by Neymar’s comeback, Ochoa’s emotion and South Africa’s landmark. The first last-32 tie is South Africa v Canada after a 1-0 win over South Korea, Thapelo Maseko scoring on 63 minutes, with Mexico overwhelming Group A by beating Czechia 3-0.

Brazil and Morocco drew 1-1 first up and were level on points, but Brazil, ahead on goal difference, beat Scotland 3-0 as Morocco defeated Haiti 4-2.

Neymar came on in the 76th minute for Matheus Cunha, his first Brazil outing since a left ACL rupture on 17 October 2023. At 34, he begins a fourth World Cup, now on 129 caps and 79 goals.

Haiti scored twice in a World Cup match for the first time and twice led Morocco, through Yassine Bounou’s own goal and Wilson Isidor. Supplied by Jean-Kévin Duverne, the 25-year-old Sunderland forward blasted a 20 m strike into Bounou’s top corner.

In Mexico City, 40-year-old Ochoa came on to an ovation on 78 minutes during the 3-0 win over Czechia, marking a sixth World Cup and a fourth on the pitch. After Qatar’s 0-6 loss to Canada, Julen Lopetegui later said Assim Madibo’s red was harsh and that he had felt it merited only a yellow. Ismaël Koné has had left-leg surgery and will be out for many months.

Source: L'Équipe