Neymar ailing:
The Brazilian superstar cuts short a practice with a noticeable limp, but the team says it’s not serious. .
Cristiano Ronaldo was exceptional in Portugal’s opening World Cup game and now has a chance to help his team knock Morocco out of the tournament.
Ronaldo scored a hat trick in the opening Group B match against Spain, a 3-3 draw that so far stands as the most exciting game of this year’s World Cup. Morocco dominated its opening match against Iran but lost 1-0 on an own-goal by forward Aziz Bouhaddouz in stoppage time.
If Ronaldo plays at the same level Wednesday at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, a Portugal victory would ensure elimination for Morocco.
Although Ronaldo was spectacular against Spain and his tally included a late free kick, Morocco’s defense has not let an opposing player to score in World Cup qualifying since 2015.
Against Portugal, Morocco must earn at least one point before Spain plays Iran in Wednesday’s late game in Kazan.
Neymar leaves practice: Neymar limped out of Brazil’s training session at the World Cup on Tuesday because of pain in his right ankle.
The Brazilian soccer confederation said the injury was not serious, adding Neymar left as a precaution and would be back in training on Wednesday.
The federation said Neymar has been in pain since the team’s 1-1 draw against Switzerland on Friday, when he was consistently fouled.
Neymar started practicing with the rest of the squad but left accompanied by a doctor about 30 minutes into the session in Sochi.
He had been playing keepaway with a few other players when he started showing signs of discomfort in his ankle. He was visibly in pain after he tried to intercept a ball with his right foot while at the center of the keep-away circle. At one point, he bent down and grabbed his ankle, but tried to continue playing anyway. A few moments later he finally decided to leave, kicking a ball away with his left foot before limping away beside the team doctor.
Diplomatic thaw: A Japanese princess is supporting her nation’s team at the World Cup, becoming the first member of Japan’s royal family to visit Russia in more than a century.
Princess Hisako of Takamada appeared at Mordovia Arena in Saransk, where Japan beat Colombia 2-1, and waved to spectators.
She arrived Monday in Russia and will stay through June 26. Her visit is the first such trip by a Japanese royal since 1916.
Russia and Japan have been locked in a territorial dispute over four contested islands, which the Soviet Union took at the end of World War II. It has kept the two nations from signing a peace treaty formally ending their hostilities. High-priced heist: Russian police say that $800,000 worth of valuables have been stolen from Colombian singer Maluma’s hotel room in Moscow while he’s visiting Russia to support the Colombia team.