Neymar misses Haiti clash as Brazil face pressure

Neymar out, Haiti face a Brazil side under pressure

Brazil will be without Neymar again. The forward did not travel to Philadelphia and misses Friday's Group C match against Haiti, his second straight absence this World Cup (4) (6) (7) (9). That is the headline, but it does not mean Brazil are diminished. Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and a squad worth hundreds of millions still line up. Ancelotti said he wants a "balanced" and "resilient" Brazil against Haiti (10). Meanwhile, Brazilian pundits are not buying it. Presenter André Rizek put it bluntly on Thursday: "We are at the same low level we had during the cycle. We haven't made the leap we need to be strong at the World Cup" (5).

Bellegarde: Haiti's number 10 who has never set foot in the country

Duke Bellegarde carries Haiti's hopes in the number 10 shirt, and the story is remarkable. He has never been to Haiti (8). Born and raised abroad, the midfielder is the creative engine Migné has built the team around. He will need a performance on Friday, because Haiti are still chasing history: no World Cup goal, no World Cup point.

Casemiro and Ibañez walking a yellow-card tightrope

Two Brazil starters are one booking away from suspension. Casemiro and Ibañez both carry yellows into Friday's match; if either is carded against Haiti, they miss the group finale against Scotland (2). That is a sliver of leverage for Haiti. Draw fouls. Force the issue. Brazil may have one eye on the Scotland game.

Haiti's grievance carries over from Scotland loss

Your team should have had a penalty against Scotland. Grant Hanley escaped a clear call, and former FIFA referee Keith Hackett said Haiti left that 1–0 defeat with legitimate grievances. No goal, no point, but a defensive structure that frustrated a fancied opponent. That same resilience is the blueprint against Brazil.