Brazil hope to beat Costa Rica today
Good day, and welcome to our coverage of the Group E game between Brazil and Costa Rica.
Brazil are one of the teams tipped to clinch the tournament but after a surprising draw against Switzerland, they do need a win today to kick start their campaign.
Costa Rica are in desperate need for a win after being defeated by Serbia in their opening group game and this set us up for a very interesting game.
The biggest news for Brazil and their fans is that star man Neymar has been declared fit for the game and will be leading the line for his country as they look to move on from that draw against Switzerland.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Brazil boss Tite said: "He had a knock, but I think it was the first time in three-and-a-half months he played 90 minutes. We are calm. Five matches is the minimum you need to be fully fit and he has already sped up the process."
Costa Rica coach Oscar Ramirez has got a plan for a Neymar; “maybe we will mark him with two men, we will see." He said in the pre-match presser.
There have been talks of players unrest in the Costa Rican team but coach Oscar Ramirez has played down those reports.
“It is true that some players are closer to other players but there are not different groups, there are no problems at all within the team," he said.
"I haven't had to intervene at all. There were no clashes. If clashes really happened then I haven't seen anything and I can't believe anything has happened because they are all very polite and very calm people. So I don't think this is true."
"It is true that some players are closer to other players but there are not different groups, there are no problems at all within the team," he said. Brazil have won nine of their 10 previous internationals against Costa Rica, losing only in a friendly in March 1960.
Costa Rica's only previous World Cup victory against South American opposition came in the 2014 tournament (3-1 vs Uruguay). They'd lost their previous three against CONMEBOL sides beforehand.
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