Brazil's Neymar receives treatment from medical staff after sustaining an injury
Brazil winger Neymar is a world class footballer who does not need to exaggerate when his is fouled because it does not earn him any sympathy with the fans, former Germany captain and World Cup winner Lothar Matthaeus said on Wednesday.
Neymar, who has scored twice so far to help Brazil into the World Cup quarter-finals in Russia where they will face Belgium on Friday, has been sharply criticised for a string of exaggerated reactions when clashing with an opponent.
"Neymar does not need it. He is an excellent player, one of the five best players in the world," the 57-year-old Matthaeus, who won the 1990 world Cup with West Germany, told reporters. "Why does he need the acting?
"It does not bring him sympathy. (1986 World Cup winner) Diego Maradona was not acting, (Argentina captain) Lionel Messi is not acting. We need players like Neymar but not the acting."
Four teams on Monday will fight for a place in the World Cup quarterfinals.The first match will be between Brazil and Mexico at Samara Arena at 5 p.m. (1400GMT).Brazil is ranked first in Group E with seven points after beating Costa Rica and Serbia, and drawing against Switzerland, 1-1.In Group F, Mexico ranked second after Sweden. Mexico defeated both Germany and Korea Republic; however, it was beaten by Sweden.Belgium will take on Japan at Rostov Arena at 6 p.m. local time (1500GMT).The Red Devils won Group G by beating Panama, Tunisia and England.Japan ended Group H with four points and qualified to the second round ahead of Senegal on Fair Play points.World Cup: Russia beat Spain 4-3 in penalty shootout
World Cup: Brazil-Mexico, Belgium-Japan in round 16
Hosts Russia eliminated Spain 4-3 after penalty shootouts in FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday evening.The first goal of the match was an own goal from Russian defender Sergei Ignashevich in the 12th minute, but the hosts equalized the score with Artem Dzyuba's late first-half penalty.The sides were locked 1-1 after extra time playing so the fate of the match was decided via penalties.La Roja's striker Iago Aspas and Koke missed penalties, while Russia achieved to score all penalties, knocking the 2010 World Champions out of the race.Russia will pair with tonight's Croatia-Denmark match winner in Nizhny Novgorod in Sochi.Kylian Mbappe leads France to victory against ArgentinaWorld Cup: Cavani stars as Uruguay eliminate Portugal
World Cup: Russia beat Spain 4-3 in penalty shootout
A brilliant second half performance sent France through to quarter finals at Kazan Arena in World Cup 2018.France managed to oust Argentina 4-3 on Saturday afternoon to book themselves the final eight ticket.The first goal of the match came in the 14th minute, when Marcos Rojo brought down French sensation, 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe -- who gave a hard time to Argentina defense -- inside the penalty box.Antoine Griezmann made no mistake from the spot to give his team 1-0 lead.Argentina leveled the score at 1-1 in the 41st minute, when Angel di Maria thundered a left-footed strike into the top right corner.Argentina took the lead just three minutes after the second half started, when Lionel Messi's shot was deflected by defender Gabriel Mercado and went in, confusing the goalkeeper.After that minute, it was all France as Benjamin Pavard's 57th minute strike equalized the match at 2-2.Pavard managed to pull out a half volley to the top left corner, scoring his first ever goal for his country in a fashionable way.World Cup: Cavani stars as Uruguay eliminate PortugalKylian Mbappe gave his team the lead in the 64th minute, his shot got past from goalkeeper Franco Armani.Then the young star increased the lead to two in the 68th minute, after forward Olivier Giroud rewarded Mbappe, who was running down to the right flank, with a pass.An injury time header goal by Sergio Aguero pulled one back for Argentina, but it was a little too late.France will pair with tonight's Uruguay-Portugal match winner.
Kylian Mbappe leads France to victory against Argentina
Matthaeus said it was up to referees to put a stop to it, adding that during his playing days Colombia's Carlos Valderrama was one such culprit but now there were just too many.
"I remember Colombia (against England on Tuesday) how they were acting," he said. England beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties in a bad-tempered game that was almost constantly interrupted with referee Mark Geiger booking six Colombians and two English players.
"In the 1990s they had one Carlos Valderrama, now Colombia have six. I don't like this provocation and acting and I cannot understand why a player likes to cheat. With video assistant referees (VAR) this should not be possible."
Matthaeus also blamed Geiger for not punishing players for it.
Various shots of football fans during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia on July 04, 2018 in Moscow.
2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
"You have to cut this. He (Geiger) forgot to cut it at the right time. He let them (Colombians) do it."
Geiger awarded England a penalty in the 57th minute but Harry Kane needed to wait several minutes before taking it as Colombian players had surrounded the referee, disputing his decision.
"With the penalty we missed three minutes of football because of the discussions. We don't need this acting. We want to see football games, people always come to watch a football game. If they want acting they should go somewhere else," the German said.
Matthaeus, however, had only praise for the England side and their brand of quick football.
"England played very well yesterday. These are high level players and the English national team profits from coaches in the Premier League working with these young players. They also learned how to shoot penalties," he added.
"This young generation, they are believing in themselves. They do not play kick and rush. They like to play out of the defence. This is the style of the English clubs."