Neymar out as Haiti prepare for Brazil

Neymar out of Friday's match

Brazil will be without Neymar when they face Haiti on Friday. The forward missed training and additional tests confirmed he will not be available for the group C match (2) (4) (5). Felipe Melo did not hide his concern: "Começo a me preocupar. Minha esperança era que o Neymar tivesse alguns minutos contra o Haiti", I was hoping Neymar would get some minutes against Haiti. "Continuo com muita esperança de que ele possa voltar o mais breve possível, mas começa a me preocupar de verdade", I still have hope he returns soon, but it is starting to worry me for real (3).

Scotland loss leaves questions

Haiti 0–1 Scotland in Boston on Sunday. A tight opener where your team had real grievances. Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett believes Kenny McLean should have seen red for a high challenge on Josue Casimir. "The boot is above waist height. He could have avoided that challenge. He's very fortunate not to receive a red card," Hackett said (7). Haiti also had a penalty shout turned down when Grant Hanley escaped punishment.

Hydration break killed momentum

Hackett was also blunt about the water break timing. The referee stopped play during a Haiti corner kick. "I'm very cynical about these water breaks," Hackett said. "I think they've missed the trick" (8). The ball was out of play, so the referee escaped criticism, but it broke Haiti's rhythm at a key moment.

Gannon-Doak saw it coming

Scotland's Ben Gannon-Doak was not surprised when he got hooked in the second half. He admitted he understood the decision (6). Small detail, but it tells you Scotland were managing the game, they felt your team's threat.

Friday is a different test

No Neymar. A Brazil side that knows it dropped points against Morocco in the opener, that draw means Brazil need a result. Haiti go in still chasing a first-ever World Cup point and a first-ever World Cup goal. The door is not closed.