[Saba Sports News] In the final match of World Cup Group C, Brazil secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Scotland to top the group and advance to the knockout stage. The 34-year-old Neymar came off the bench in the 76th minute to make his first appearance of this World Cup, marking his fourth World Cup tournament overall. During his brief spell on the pitch, Neymar looked lively. He registered one shot with one on target, notched 24 touches and delivered three key passes, earning a solid match rating of 6.5. Though he failed to score on his comeback debut, it still amounted to a perfect start for Neymar. After the final whistle, an emotional Neymar broke down in tears. He covered his face with his jersey for a long time, hiding his tear-streaked cheeks from the fans. He then shared heartfelt embraces with his wife and children, who had watched the game from the sidelines, a touching sight for all who witnessed it.
The editor believes that Neymar’s emotional outburst is understandable, as this marked his return to the Brazil national team after a 981-day absence. Neymar’s previous cap for Brazil came on October 18, 2023, in a 0-2 defeat to Uruguay, where he was substituted off after suffering a serious injury. Now that he has finally pulled on Brazil’s iconic number 10 jersey to represent his country once more — and on the World Cup stage no less — the moment carries extraordinary significance.