From decisive to suspended: Neymar begins World Cup push with highs and lows at Santos | OneFootball

Neymar launched his World Cup push with a night of extremes, shaping Santos’s 2-0 win over Remo then earning a suspension for Flamengo.

According to Globo.com, this was the start of his final audition for a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s 26, blending errors with decisive plays.

A first-half left-foot through ball released Thaciano to open the scoring at Vila Belmiro. After the break, another pass let Escobar tee up Moisés for 2-0. The win ended a four-game drought and lifted Santos out of the relegation zone.

Targeted throughout, Neymar suffered seven fouls, half of Remo’s total. He reacted to a Diego Hernández challenge and was booked for dissent, which rules him out at 17:30 Brasília time in the Maracanã.

Missing that game removes what had been seen as a major test against the reigning Libertadores holders, one of Brazil’s strongest squads.

His absence also reduces the games left before the 18 May squad announcement. The club and his camp planned to spare him the trip to Cuenca for the 8 April Copa Sudamericana opener at altitude, and he is still unlikely to travel. The aim is to have him ready for four straight home matches against Atlético-MG, Recoleta-PAR, Fluminense and Coritiba in the Copa do Brasil.

If he also sits out the continental match, which is likely, only 11 fixtures would remain before Ancelotti names his 26. The race has tightened despite flashes that might have shortened his path to North America.

Source: Globo.com