I hadn t seen he had an injury, it was 10 minutes and it was not malicious, it was accidental.

Neymar was fouled nine times against Serbia and has been the subject of heavy treatment during his previous two World Cup appearances.

Across the 2014 and 2018 World Cups combined, Neymar was fouled a leading 44 times – or once every 21 minutes, more often than any other player impeded on at least 25 occasions.

If we want to celebrate the football we have to pay attention to the fouls, because they focus on specific players, Tite said. This is a fact and it has to be stopped.

Tite remains, however, confident that Neymar and Danilo will both return before Brazil s campaign in Qatar is over.

That s my opinion, he said. Medically I am not in a positi…

Thomas Tuchel delivered some home truths to his Chelsea players in a private meeting as he got frustrations off his chest after brutal defeats to Brentford and Real Madrid.

The Chelsea boss revealed the gathering, which took place on Thursday, was not one where he encouraged the players to play any part other than listening to his point of view.

Such sessions often offer a forum for debate, but this time Tuchel aired his disappointment, pointed out where the team were going wrong, and said the players would have his support as they attempt to get back on track.

It was not a discussion-type of a meeting yesterday. It was more like i gave my point of view, Tuchel told a news conference on Friday. That s sometimes also necessary.

We take the players view…

Spain control their own destiny and also that of Germany in their final Group E match against Japan, but Koke insists La Roja are not paying any mind to the wider consequences of a potential victory.

Luis Enrique s men only need a point to make sure of their place in the last 16, while a win over Samurai Blue at the Khalifa International Stadium will ensure they go through as group winners.

The latter outcome on Thursday would suit Germany down to the ground, as Die Nationalelf – who face Costa Rica simultaneously – can clinch a spot in the next round if they win and Japan lose. If Spain are held and Hansi Flick s men win, goal difference will come into play for the 2014 champions.

There is undoubtedly a perception that Germany crashing out would be good for …

Managing to storm their way to a thumping against Norwich on the final weekend, there is no doubt that Antonio Conte has made quite the effect since arriving at Tottenham.

Booking their Champions League return at the expense of north London rivals Arsenal, it now appears that the one-time Chelsea boss could be in for quite the exciting summer ahead.

Along with it being all but confirmed that Inter Milan and Croatia star will be joining Spurs on a free transfer next month, Conte s men are also close to snapping up Southampton keeper .

With it also being suggested that attacking talisman could be tempted to sign a new deal, we have taken a look at a few other stars who could be on their way to north London this summer.

Youri Tielemans

While Uruguayan i…

Chelsea have announced the signing of Caleb Wiley from Atlanta United for a reported fee of £8.5million.

The 19-year-old has signed a six-year contract, with the option to extend that for a further year, which would keep him at the club until 2031.

Wiley joined Atlanta s academy aged 11, progressing through the youth set-up before making his first-team debut in 2022.

He made 85 appearances for the Five Stripes in all competitions, scoring on his debut in a win over Sporting Kansas City.

Chelsea is pleased to announce the signing of United States international Caleb Wiley.

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)

Wiley has made two appearances for the USA senior side and is currently with the United States Olympic squad preparing for the Games in Pari…

Brazil great Cafu has backed Darwin Nunez to succeed should he join Liverpool, given the Reds recent purchasing history and coaching ability of Jurgen Klopp.

Sadio Mane has been subject of repeated interest from Bayern Munich, with the Bundesliga champions attempting to secure the services of the Senegal international.

Julian Nagelsmann s side are reported to have had a second bid for the Liverpool forward rejected earlier this week, but Bayern are expected to persist with their advances.

Mane s exit would open the door for Liverpool to sign Nunez, who has been heavily linked with a big-money move to Anfield that could be worth up to €100million (£85m).

Nunez has scored 48 goals in 85 games for Benfica in all competitions and averaged 1.2 goals eve…

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City showed who we are after they clawed back a two-goal deficit in a pulsating 3-3 draw with Newcastle United.

The Premier League champions looked set for a first loss of the new top-flight campaign after Ilkay Gundogan s opener had been cancelled out by goals for Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier at St James Park.

But a rapid-fire one-two punch from Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva saw the visitors fight back to earn a share of the spoils in one of the most gripping encounters of the season so far.

Fragments of City s remarkable title-winning final day rise from the canvas against Aston Villa last term were readily apparent on Tyneside as Guardiola s side fought their way to a draw.

That delighted the…

England will take on Spain in their first Women’s World Cup final on Sunday.

The European champions will have to navigate their way past a Spanish side rife with talent, including nine players from last season’s Champions League winners Barcelona.

Here, the PA news agency looks at five players to watch when the monumental meeting kicks off in front of over 75,000 fans at 11am BST.

Lauren James

The 21-year-old forward missed England’s last-eight and last-four clashes while she served a two-match ban for a red card she was shown after stepping on the back of defender Michelle Alozie in the Lionesses’ last-16 battle with Nigeria.

Before the incident World Cup debutant James had netted three times in the group stage and is still joint top of the comp…

Kylian Mbappe revelled in a dream come true after completing his long-awaited blockbuster move to Real Madrid.

The France captain signed a five-year deal with the newly crowned Champions League winners, who he will join as a free agent in July when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires.

Mbappe, who was heavily linked with a move away, officially announced his departure from the Ligue 1 champions in early May, bowing out after Luis Enrique s side completed the double with victory in the Coupe de France.

The forward was expected to join Madrid in the 2021-22 season, but rejected the opportunity in favour of signing a two-year contract extension with PSG.

However, two years later, Los Blancos have finally got their man, who took to Instagram to share…

Atalanta have signed Italy forward Mateo Retegui on a four-year contract from fellow Serie A club Genoa, the Europa League champions announced on Thursday.

No details of the deal were disclosed, though reports suggest it was worth around €28million.

In his one season at Genoa, he made 31 appearances in all competitions, netting nine goals and registering three assists.

The Argentinian-born 25-year-old has played 12 international matches since his debut in 2023, including all four of Italy s matches during the recent European Championship.

The signing of Retegui will be a welcome addition for coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who conceded earlier on Thursday that his side are less competitive now than they were just a few months ago.

Retegui will likel…