Neymar returns with Anfield goal

Neymar marked his return from a knee injury in spectacular fashion as Brazil beat Croatia 2-0 in a pre-world Cup friendly at Liverpool’s Anfield.

The Paris St Germain star produced a stunning individual effort in the 68th minute of his first outing since he fractured his metatarsal playing for his club in February.

Liverpool playmaker Roberto Firmino added the second in added time to wrap up a comfortable win for the Brazilians.

Both scorers started on the bench but added urgency to the Brazil attack after being introduced after the break.

Spain were held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland.

Ricardo Rodriguez pounced on a David de Gea error to equalise after Alvaro Odriozola had given the hosts the lead.

England’s final warm-up opponents, Costa Rica, proved too strong for an experimental Northern Ireland side, running out 3-0 winners.

Only Germany and Croatia had previously beaten Michael O’neill’s men by more than one goal since November 2014, but World Cup-bound Los Ticos scored twice from Joel Campbell’s corners, with the striker scoring himself in-between.

Vincent Kompany is a doubt for the World Cup after suffering a groin problem in Belgium’s goalless draw with Portugal in Brussels on Saturday.

The 32-year-old defender faces a scan to determine the extent of the injury.

Belgium will launch their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 18 before taking on England 10 days later.

Manchester City talisman Kompany had shaken off persistent muscle and knee problems to feature in Roberto Martinez’s World Cup plans, but now faces fresh doubts over his availability.

Manuel Neuer’s timely return from injury could do little to ease Germany’s frustrations at slipping to a 2-1 defeat in Austria.

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer made his first appearance since breaking a foot in September, proving his fitness for his side’s fast-approaching World Cup defence.

Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil put Germany into an early lead, in a match delayed by 105 minutes due to heavy rain.

Germany would have fully expected to capitalise on their early advantage to sew up a routine victory, but Austria had other ideas, with Martin Hinteregger and Alessandro Schopf finding the net to turn the game on its head.

Alan Judge’s last-gasp strike stole the Republic of Ireland a 2-1 win over the United States in Dublin.

Brentford midfielder Judge ensured defender John O’shea could toast his 118th and final cap with a victory.

Neymar celebrates after coming off the bench to open the scoring for Brazil against Croatia.