Ancelotti confirms Neymar return but faces Raphinha fitness scare before Brazil's Scotland decider

Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Neymar will be fit to face Scotland in Brazil’s World Cup Group C decider, while Raphinha is set to undergo tests on Saturday after being forced off with hamstring tightness during the Seleção’s 3-0 victory over Haiti in Philadelphia.

Raphinha had a goal disallowed before going to ground in the first half, with Brazil national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar visibly concerned during on-field checks. The Barcelona winger was replaced by Bournemouth’s Rayan, and Ancelotti offered only cautious words on his condition. “Raphinha will be evaluated tomorrow, right now we don’t know what happened,” the Brazil head coach said. “I put Rayan in because he showed good quality — he has a different profile from Raphinha, probably. It’s small details that determine the entry of one player or another.”

Attacking midfielder Lucas Paquetá echoed the uncertainty in the camp. “I think we’re all worried,” he said. “We hope it’s nothing serious. I still don’t know anything — he still has to have an exam.”

The news on Neymar was considerably brighter. The Brazil icon has been working his way back from a calf injury sustained before the tournament, and Ancelotti confirmed he is on track to return for the Scotland match. “Yes, Neymar will train individually tomorrow. On Monday he will be with the team and then he will be ready for the game against Scotland,” the Italian said.

Brazil’s win over Haiti was built on a Matheus Cunha brace — the Manchester United forward among the night’s standout performers — and a third goal from man of the match Vinícius Jr. The result comes after a laboured 1-1 draw with Morocco in their Group C opener, and Ancelotti acknowledged his side had improved but still had work to do.

“It was what I expected — to improve the quality, make fewer mistakes, have more control at the back,” he said. “Defensively it was a good game. We improved, we will improve in the next game. We have to take advantage of this group stage to start the knockout stage well.”

Brazil and Scotland — 2022 World Cup semi-finalists — are now locked in a straight shootout for top spot in Group C, with goal difference set to be the deciding factor if both sides win their final group games.