Brazil and Costa Rica open the Friday slate of World Cup group stage matches as they battle in Group E, with both seeking their first win of the tournament. Brazil is coming off a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in the opener, while Costa Rica fell 1-0 to Serbia on a free-kick goal.
Both teams trail Serbia in the group, with Brazil behind by two points. It feels like a potential must-win for Brazil, and it expects to pick up three points here against a Costa Rica team that didn't create much in attack in the opener.
Costa Rica appear to be in good health entering the game, but for Brazil, all eyes will be on Neymar. The Brazilian superstar was roughed up in the opener, fouled 10 times, and he left training early on Tuesday limping. But, he returned to training on Wednesday and should be good to go.
Here's how you can watch the match and more. And be sure to return a half an hour before kickoff for our live blog of the game:
How to watch Brazil vs. Costa Rica
When: Friday at 8 a.m. ET
Where: Saint Petersburg Stadium
TV: FS1 and Telemundo
Stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
Follow: CBS Sports App
SportsLine odds
Who wins Brazil-Costa Rica? And where does all the value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see the Soccerbot's exclusive recommendation, all from the model that keeps crushing sportsbooks with its international soccer picks and is up a colossal 1,800 percent.
Brazil vs. Costa Rica prediction
Brazil has its scoring boots on from the beginning, earns a comfortable victory over Los Ticos and the teams looks like a real threat to win the cup. Brazil 3, Costa Rica 0.
Brazil vs. Costa Rica score, live updates
If the live blog doesn't load properly, click here.
Neymar and Brazil will need to step up their game when they take on Costa Rica in a must win Group E FIFA World Cup clash here on Friday.
Brazil drew 1-1 with Switzerland in their opener last weekend, and Neymar was much criticised for his underwhelming performance.
He was hunted down mercilessly by the Swiss, drawing 10 of Brazil's 19 fouls, as many as some entire teams.
Neymar also lacked the zip which made him the world's most expensive footballer when French heavyweights Paris St Germain signed him from Spanish giants FC Barcelona last August.
There was an injury scare after he limped out of Tuesday's training session with a sore ankle but to his team's relief the forward is expected to be fit for what could be Brazil's fourth World Cup match without a win.
Costa Rica, on their part, are desperate for points after they lost their opener to Serbia.
ALSO READ: Fifa World Cup 2018 match day 8 highlights: Requiem for Argentinian dream?
Quarter-finalists in the 2014 Brazil World Cup, Costa Rica have lost seven of their last nine matches and scored only five goals in the process.
"It is going to be a difficult game as are all games in the World Cup," Brazil attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho was quoted as saying.
"They are a good team. We saw the game against Serbia, and it was only decided through a dead ball situation."
"This is another opportunity for us. We need to do it, we are all focused. We are mentally strong to play a great game."
Where to watch
FIFA World Cup 2018 Brazil vs Costa Rica match will take place on Friday, April 22, 2018 at 05:30 PM
Brazil vs Costa Rica will be broadcast on Sony Ten 2, Sony Ten 2 HD, Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD in English Commentary and Sony Ten 3 and Sony 3 HD in Hindi Commentary.
Brazil vs Costa Rica match will be available for live streaming on Sony Liv. And Both Airtel and Jio would broadcast the Fifa World Cup 2018 matches for free to their respective subscribers
ALSO READ: Here's how to watch Fifa World Cup 2018 for free in mobile devices
Squads
Brazil
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Cassio
Defenders: Miranda, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Filipe Luis, Fagner, Pedro Geromel, Danilo
Midfielders: Casemiro, Fernandinho, Paulinho, Renato Augusto, Philippe Coutinho, Willian, Fred
Forwards: Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino, Douglas Costa, Neymar, Taison
ALSO READ: Fifa 2018: Tite names 23-member Brazil squad, Neymar in, David Luiz out
Costa Rica
Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas , Patrick Pemberton, Leonel Moreira;
Defenders: Cristian Gamboa, Ian Smith, Ronald Matarrita, Bryan Oviedo, Oscar Duarte, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Francisco Calvo, Kendall Waston, Johnny Acosta;
Midfielders: David Guzman, Yeltsin Tejeda, Celso Borges, Randall Azofeifa, Rodney Wallace, Bryan Ruiz, Daniel Colindres, Christian Bolanos;
Forwards: Johan Venegas, Joel Campbell, Marco Urena.
ALSO READ: Fifa World Cup 2018: Costa Rica hinges on Joel, Navas to upset favourites
Neymar's fitness
Brazil is making sure everyone knows Neymar is perfectly fit at the World Cup.
A day after he limped out of training and raised further doubts about his physical condition in Russia, the Brazilian soccer federation was quick to tell the world the team's biggest star was just fine.
Brazil had a closed practice session Wednesday, two days before its game against Costa Rica in St. Petersburg, but the federation posted photos and a video of Neymar in action in training with the rest of the squad.
"Brazil practicing and Neymar participating normally in the team's activity," the federation said in a Twitter post.
One of the photos showed the playmaker touching the ball with his injured right ankle.
"Take a look at Neymar practicing in Sochi!" read the post linking to the video which showed the playmaker training without any sign of a limp.
The images showed him exchanging passes and making challenges. In a longer version of the video sent to journalists, Neymar took free kicks.
"Neymar practiced the whole time," the federation later said on its website. "He showed confidence and participated actively during the whole session."
The federation later released a video with Neymar "I trained well, felt comfortable," Neymar said. "The foot is fine."
ALSO READ: Fifa World Cup 2018: Resilient Switzerland frustrate Brazil in 1-1 draw
Brazilian media had already been speculating that Brazil could be hiding Neymar's real condition after he couldn't finish practice on Tuesday. He was visibly in pain as he walked from the field accompanied by the team's doctor.
He had been playing keep-away with a few other players when he started showing signs of discomfort, and at one point bent down and grabbed his ankle. He tried to continue playing but a few moments later decided to leave, kicking a ball away with his left foot before limping away.
The federation said he left the session only as a precaution because he had been in pain since the team's 1-1 draw against Switzerland on Sunday, when he was consistently fouled.
It had already guaranteed after the match there was nothing wrong with Neymar even though he was limping when he talked to reporters. It had already confirmed he would be available to play against Costa Rica.
According to Brazil, Neymar's ankle problem had nothing to do with the foot injury that sidelined him for about three months earlier this year, prompting concerns about his fitness heading into Russia.
Brazil coach Tite said before the tournament started that Neymar wouldn't likely be fully fit until the third match of the group stage. He was heavily marked and struggled against Switzerland, which fouled him 10 times in the match in Rostov-on-Don.
The draw left Brazil and Switzerland two points behind group leader Serbia, which defeated Costa Rica in its opener. Anything but victory could leave Brazil, one of the main title favorites in Russia, in a difficult position to advance from the group stage.
