Brazil Advance as Neymar Returns After 981 Days

Brazil advanced to the next stage of the 2026 World Cup from first place in the group, thanks to a brace from Vinicius, but the biggest attention went to Neymar. The star came off the bench in the 76th minute for his first appearance for Brazil in 981 days, and fans greeted him with loud applause.

Brazilian outlet Globo said Neymar had returned after a month and a half without football and played centrally, with freedom to drift left, exactly as Carlo Ancelotti planned. The report said he made good passes, tried a shot from the edge of the box, and is gradually regaining match fitness. Globo rated him 6, while fans gave him 6.2.

Neymar said after the match, “My heart was racing. I was very nervous. I am happy, I feel completely healthy.” Marca wrote that Brazilian fans had begged for his introduction, describing it as not brilliant football but a chance for his “last dance” and a return to smiling on the pitch. Ancelotti said, “We played as a team, that is very good. Neymar’s return will help us a lot. We wanted to repeat things from the Haiti match, it was a very beautiful game. That is what we wanted to happen.”

At 34, Neymar became only the fourth player to appear in four World Cups for Brazil, after Djalma Santos, Cafu and Pele. He had one shot on target that did not seriously trouble Angus Gunn, completed 12 of 13 passes, and won one duel.