Neymar’s campaign goes from sublime to embarassing to redemption

NEYMAR announced himself to the World Cup, going from sublime to embarrassing, before redeeming himself in Brazil’s 2-0 victory over Costa Rica in St Petersburg.

The PSG star - carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders again - was kicked and fouled out of Brazil’s first game against Switzerland, but ensured that wouldn’t happen again.

His afternoon started with a gorgeous piece of skill, a rainbow flick, that us mere mortals could only dream of, prompting Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand to tweet:: Right time... right place for this cheekiness!! #Neymar

Neymar then had two minutes of madness. He won a penalty after being brought down in the box, only for the VAR to review it and reverse the decision, deciding he went down far too easily.

England former World Cup hero Gary Lineker said this time the VAR got it right.

Brazil’s main man then earned a yellow card for dissent, but his afternoon wasn’t done there, adding a second goal, after Philippe Coutinho’s opener, to become his country’s third-highest scorer of all time.

The day’s other Group E clash saw Xherdan Shaqiri score a late winner against Serbia that has huge implications heading in to the final two matches. Brazil (4 points) plays Serbia (3 points) and Switzerland (4 points) plays Costa Rica (o points) next Wednesday.

In Group D, Nigeria defeat Iceland 2-0 thanks to a magnificent double from Leicester City striker Ahmed Musa. The result means Argentina’s hopes of reaching the last 16 are still alive, albeit hanging by a thread.

Granit Xhaka is not every Arsenal fan’s cup of team, but the man can strike a football! Exhibit A: This powerful curling effort into the far corner from 20 yards.

Look, we genuinely don’t know which of Ahmed Musa’s brilliant goals against Iceland was better. Watch them both and decide yourself.

Here were the scenes in Buenos Aires today after Nigeria did Argentina a huge favour by beating Iceland to keep the group wide open.

Neymar always wears his heart on his sleeve, famously breaking down after scoring the penalty to win his team Olympic gold in 2016. The win against Costa Rica was all too much for the 26-year-old, who collapsed to the turf unable to hold back tears after the final whistle.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

GOOD

Is there anything better than a late winner? Even Brazil coach Tite couldn’t contain himself when his team finally ended Costa Rica’s resistance through Philippe Coutinho’s goal.

BAD

Argentina are a nation in mourning after their hammering at the hands of Costa Rica. It’s so bad that Argentinian TV network TyC Sports held a minute’s silence on air to mark the defeat. Surely that’s going a little too far!

Argentina ruthlessly mocked Brazil, in their own country, at the World Cup four years ago. Now the Brazilians are getting sweet revenge on their arch rivals, who are in serious danger of failing to get out of Group D after collecting just one point from their opening two games.

Social media isn’t feeling particularly sympathetic to captain Lionel Messi, but Argentina legend Diego Simeone took it a step further, committing an act akin to high treason is his homeland.

In a leaked text coversation with his assistant coach, Simeone said: “Messi is very good but that is because he is accompanied by excellent players”.

“But if you had to choose between Messi and Ronaldo for a normal team, who would you choose?”

UGLY

Poor Gylfi Sigurdsson! The playmaker was given the chance from 12 yards to give Iceland a lifeline against Nigeria. It couldn’t have gone worse for the Everton man.

WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA IS TALKING ABOUT
With Brazil enduring a very nervy afternoon in Saint Petersburg, fans must have been wondering if Neymar’s sister was to blame. The model decided to wear a Rolling Stones shirt to the Selecao’s match with Costa Rica . Seems innocent enough, but Mick Jagger is considered a huge jinx in Brazil, with locals linking his support of them in 2014 to their devastatating 7-1 loss to Germany.

ICELAND boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has rubbished reports he has imposed a sex ban on his players during the World Cup.

Speaking at a press conference, Iceland captain Aron Gunnarsson joked about the reported sex ban.

The Cardiff midfielder said: “For the time being, yes”, before Hallgrimsson interjected: “As long as the wives haven’t arrived! No it’s not banned, it’s bull****.”