logo
‘Hand of Neymar' earns Brazilian red card in potential last game for Santos

‘Hand of Neymar' earns Brazilian red card in potential last game for Santos

TimesLIVE5 days ago

Neymar has spoken about the affect Diego Maradona had on his career after meeting him as a child but his bid to emulate the late Argentine great's 'Hand of God' goal backfired on Sunday when he was sent off in what could be his last game for Santos.
With Santos and Botafogo locked at 0-0 heading into the last 15 minutes of their Brazilian league game, Neymar launched himself at a rebound in the penalty area and steered the ball into the net with his hand.
The Brazilian was quickly surrounded by furious Botafogo players before the referee flashed a second yellow card at the forward, cutting short his first start for the club since he made his return from injury last month.
Rubbing salt into the wound, Botafogo scored with four minutes left to secure a 1-0 victory.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Brazil held in Ancelotti debut, Paraguay move closer to qualifying
Brazil held in Ancelotti debut, Paraguay move closer to qualifying

Eyewitness News

time7 hours ago

  • Eyewitness News

Brazil held in Ancelotti debut, Paraguay move closer to qualifying

MONTEVIDEO - Carlo Ancelotti's debut as coach of Brazil ended in a goalless draw in Ecuador in South American World Cup qualifying on Thursday. Argentina, already assured of a place in next year's tournament, beat Chile 1-0 in Santiago with a goal from Julian Alvarez, a result which guarantees Lionel Scaloni's team top spot and leaves bottom placed 'La Roja' with virtually no hope of qualifying. Ancelotti, the 65-year-old Italian, who left Real Madrid at the end of the European season, has been charged with taking Brazil through the latter stages of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The former AC Milan and Chelsea manager replaced Dorival Junior, who was sacked at the end of March after the 4-1 thrashing at the hands of reigning champions and bitter rivals Argentina. Thursday's result leaves the Selecao in fourth place in the qualifying table on 22 points while Ecuador, the surprise package in the campaign, remain in second on 24 points. Argentina lead the standings on 34 points and are the only team to have officially secured their place in the tournament which will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Paraguay, who enjoyed a 2-0 win over Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay, sit in third place, level on points with Ecuador. Ecuador knew a win would put them on the brink of qualification and there was a packed crowd at the Estadio Monumental in Guayaquil. But the home side were dealt a blow just before kick-off when goalkeeper Hernan Galindez suffered a muscle strain in the warm-up and replacement Gonzalo Valle was hurriedly sent out to make his debut. If Valle had any nerves they eased when he did well to parry a shot from inside the box from Vinicius Jr. who had been set up by Gerson following a turnover. Chances were limited in a contest where neither side was able to get control of midfield. The pattern continued after the break with Ecuador, missing their injured striker and talisman Enner Valencia, struggling to pose a threat. Real Madrid star Vinicius was quiet for much of the game and with Rodrygo absent, Brazil also lacked potency in attack. The best opening came in the 75th minute when Vinicius broke down the left and cut back to Casemiro, but the Manchester United midfielder, recalled to the national side by Ancelotti, saw a tame side-footed effort easily dealt with by Valle. PATIENCE While there was no instant impact from Ancelotti, Vinicius, who played under the coach in Madrid, said he needed time to make his impact felt. "I'm very happy to have Ancelotti here with us, because I've always said he's the best coach I've ever worked with. Having the opportunity to work with him in the Brazilian national team is the best," the winger told SporTV. "He hasn't had time to show his work, his game plan, because he's only had two or three days of training," he added. Atletico Madrid striker Alvarez put Argentina ahead at the Estadio Nacional in the 16th minute with a deft finish after he had been put through by a perfectly weighted pass from Thiago Almada. Lionel Messi came off the bench in the 57th minute but Chile sensed a chance to get something from the game and created more as the game progressed. Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez made a series of crucial saves and Lucas Cepeda went closest with a fierce shot which struck the bar. Cepeda then had the best chance of the game when he was found at the back post but he blasted his volley wide. Messi set up Giuliano Simeone with a chance to make it 2-0 but the son of former Argentina captain and Atletico Madrid coach Diego, fired his shot into the side netting. A header from midfielder Matías Galarza just 13 minutes into the game and a late penalty from Julio Enciso earned Paraguay a crucial victory over a depleted Uruguay. The victory left Paraguay on the verge of securing their return to the World Cup for the first time since qualifying for the 2010 finals in South Africa. Victory in Sao Paulo on Tuesday against Brazil would secure their place in the tournament. The top six teams in the 10-team qualifying group head directly into the World Cup draw while the seventh placed team must enter the inter-confederation playoffs.

10 Mamelodi Sundowns players tipped to be axed by Cardoso
10 Mamelodi Sundowns players tipped to be axed by Cardoso

The South African

time2 days ago

  • The South African

10 Mamelodi Sundowns players tipped to be axed by Cardoso

No less than 10 Mamelodi Sundowns players have been linked with permanent exits from the club. This comes after head coach Miguel Cardoso decided he wants to work with a 'trimmed' first team squad next season. Cardoso has been vocal about his demands, and reports suggest the club are ready to act on his instructions! Today we take a look at 10 players who face the dreaded chopping block at Mamelodi Sundowns. READ MORE • Orlando Pirates sign Soweto-born star as Timm replacement! READ MORE • PSL side working on signing Kaizer Chiefs fan-favourite! Defender Rivaldo Coetzee and midfielder Sipho Mbule are set to be the first casualties at Chloorkop. In fact, their agent Mike Makaab has already 'confirmed' their departures! Furthermore, goalkeeper Riyaad Reyaad Pieterse has also been linked with an exit from Mamelodi Sundowns, as per KickOff . Lebohang Maboe's place at the club is also under scrutiny. According to Soccer Laduma , Maboe, along with Luvuyo Phewa, Etiosa Ighodaro, Sifiso Ngobeni and Thembinkosi Lorch are also all on their way out! Finally, Argentine midfielder Matias Esquivel looks set for a permanent exit while Lucas Suarez' future at Mamelodi Sundowns remains uncertain. READ MORE • Orlando Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs to star PSL signing! Which other players do you think are surplus to requirements at Mamelodi Sundowns. Additionally which players do you think deserve another chance to shine at the Brazilians? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @ TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.

Five challenges Ancelotti faces as Brazil reign kicks off
Five challenges Ancelotti faces as Brazil reign kicks off

The Citizen

time3 days ago

  • The Citizen

Five challenges Ancelotti faces as Brazil reign kicks off

'The only goal is to win the 2026 World Cup,' said Ancelotti when he took the job. First he has to get there. Carlo Ancelotti took his first training session on Monday as head coach of the Brazil national team. Picture: Brazil Photo Press via AFP After a warm welcome to Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti, the Selecao's first foreign coach in more than 50 years, is on a mission to fix a stuttering team and win back fans which starts on Thursday against Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier. The 65-year-old Italian led his first training session on Monday in Guayaquil, Ecuador, ahead of what should be his first match, if his move from Real Madrid passes scrutiny by football's governing body FIFA. AFP identifies five issues Brazil's new coach Ancelotti faces: – Qualify! – 'The only goal is to win the 2026 World Cup,' said Ancelotti when he took the job. First he has to get there. The South American group is a two-year, 18-match marathon. Brazil's campaign has included a first-ever home World Cup qualifying defeat, 1-0 at the Maracana to old enemy Argentina, part of a run of three straight defeats in 2023 that ended the coaching reign of Fernando Diniz. Their last match was a 4-1 humiliation in Argentina in March that finished off former coach Dorival Junior. Yet the format is forgiving. The top six in the 10-team group qualify directly for the World Cup. Brazil are fourth, six points clear of Venezuela in seventh with four matches to go. Ecuador may be second in the group, but are only two points ahead of Brazil, who then host Paraguay, who are fifth. Qualifying ends in September with a visit to last-place Chile and a home game against struggling Bolivia. – Find a centre forward – Brazil is still churning out dazzling attackers but the production line has stalled on No. 9s. In this century, Romario, Ronaldo and Adriano have all led the attack and banged in the goals. The nearest player to a classic No. 9 in Ancelotti's first squad is a player he coached at Everton, Richarlison, now of Tottenham. Yet Ancelotti has won without a central striker before. His 2024 Champions League winning side was led by two Brazilians: Vinicius Jr, who is in Ancelotti's squad, and Rodrygo, who he did not select. Ancelotti also has Raphinha of Barcelona, who was joint top scorer in this season's Champions League. – Sort out the midfield – A bigger problem might be supplying the attackers, veteran Brazilian football journalist Juca Kfouri told AFP. With Brazil's youth academies focusing on defensive midfielders and quick wingers rather than classic creators, the Selecao faces a shortage of ideas in midfield. In Brazil's last two outings Dorival Junior tried Bruno Guimaraes, Gerson, Andre and Joelinton in the role. None convinced. At Madrid, Ancelotti 'had Toni Kroos as a supply line for Vini. Brazil does not have a Toni Kroos,' said sports writer Tim Vickery on his 'Brazilian Shirt Name' podcast. Ancelotti has recalled Kroos's former Real Madrid midfield partner Casemiro, although the 33-year-old now with Manchester United is primarily a defensive player to add, the coach said, 'charisma, personality and talent.' – Find full-backs – The supply of swashbuckling fullbacks, such as Carlos Alberto, Cafu and Roberto Carlos — another hallmark of great Brazil teams — has also dried up. Ancelotti has recalled Carlos Augusto, part of the Inter Milan team crushed in the Champions League final, and picked Flamengo duo Wesley Franca and Alex Sandro after seeing them play last week in a 1-0 victory over Venezuelan team Deportivo Tachira in the Copa Libertadores. – Win back the fans – Ancelotti needs to rebuild the bond between the team and the public. Part of the problem is that after Brazil won five World Cups playing — mostly — the 'jogo bonito' (the beautiful game), fans have little patience with mediocrity. But many supporters have been turned off by the way the famous yellow jersey has been hijacked as a symbol by supporters of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro. 'This issue of the extreme right appropriating the jersey has distanced part of the country,' said Kfouri, adding Ancelotti called on the fans when he took the job saying, 'I hope to have the support and help of the country.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store