Neymar was still missing
©IMAGO
Brazil’s national team has successfully completed the penultimate tough test before the World Cup. Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team celebrated a clear 6:2 (2:1) win against Panama in the legendary Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Vinicius Junior gave the Seleção the lead in the second minute. After the interim equalizer with a deflected free kick from Amir Murillo (14th), Casemiro (39th) made it 2-1 shortly before half-time. After the break, Rayan (53′), Lucas Paquetá (60′), Igor Thiago with a penalty kick (63′) and Danilo (81′) further extended the lead. Carlos Harvey only managed a cosmetic result for Panama (84th).
At half-time, Ancelotti changed almost his entire team with the exception of central defender Léo Pereira. The Brazilians appeared much more enthusiastic after the break and decided the game with four goals within 28 minutes.
Neymar is still missing from Brazil
Neymar wasn’t there again. The 34-year-old striker is part of coach Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man World Cup squad, but has to remain sidelined due to a second-degree muscle injury in his calf. The Italian coach nominated the long-injured offensive player for the finals despite doubts about his fitness and is relying on his experience. Ancelotti expects Neymar to be available again at the start of the World Cup, but at the latest in the second group game.
Neymar’s last international match to date was more than two and a half years ago. In October 2023, he suffered a torn cruciate ligament during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. Since then, the Seleção’s record goalscorer has repeatedly been set back by injuries. At the beginning of 2025, the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain professional returned to his hometown club FC Santos from the Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal SFC.
For Brazil it was the penultimate test before the tournament – before the start of the World Cup, the Seleção still have a friendly match against Egypt. The record world champion will kick off the World Cup against Morocco on June 14th at midnight German time. Then it’s Group C against Haiti and Scotland. With a squad value of 909 million euros, Brazil is in sixth place among the most valuable teams and is therefore one of the extended favorites.
