Neymar makes his return to Brazil's starting line-up for Monday's World Cup last-16 tie against South Korea.

Bashundhara Kings added another feather to their glittering crown by regaining the title of the Independence Cup with a 4-1 win on penalties over Sheikh Russel in the final in Cumilla yesterday.

Soccer great Pele on Monday backed Brazil's national team ahead of their World Cup round of 16 match against South Korea, saying he will watch the game from hospital after being admitted there last week as he battles colon cancer.

Croatia goalkeeper Dominic Kivakovic saved penalties from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida before Mario Pasalic netted the winning spot-kick in their 3-1 shootout win over Japan on Monday to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

The festivities of football doesn't resonate with everyone.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos said he was unimpressed with Cristiano Ronaldo's behaviour after the forward reacted angrily when substituted during the team's final group game at the World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA said on Monday it had opened disciplinary proceedings against the Serbian football association following the team's bad-tempered World Cup clash with Switzerland.

Croatia have performed wonders to punch above their weight for so long in international football and are determined to keep their reputation going against Japan in their last-16 match at the World Cup on Monday, coach Zlatko Dalic said.

France head into Saturday's heavyweight World Cup quarter-final clash with England well aware that their hopes of carrying on in Qatar and retaining the title rest on the shoulders of Kylian Mbappe.

Bashundhara Kings regained the title of Independence Cup with a 4-1 win over Sheikh Russel KC in tiebreaker after the final match ended in a 2-2 draw in regulation and added time at Shaheed Dhirendra Nath Datta Stadium in Cumilla on Monday.

England's Raheem Sterling, who was missing from the squad for Sunday's 3-0 World Cup win over Senegal, will head back to Britain on Monday to be with his family, coach Gareth Southgate said, as local media reported a break-in at his home.

Saudi Arabia is the sole remaining bidder to host the 2027 Asian Cup after India's federation withdrew its bid, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Monday.

Following a shock loss to Cameroon, Brazilian coach Tite will be delighted to welcome a plethora of first-team starters against South Korea in their last 16 clash.

Wild cards South Korea say they have nothing to fear and nothing to lose when they take on five-times champions Brazil on Monday, with their sights set on another giant-killing feat in a World Cup where big names have taken a beating.

Japan will invoke the spirit of the Samurai warrior in their clash with Croatia on Monday as they look to banish the memory of their exit from the last World Cup and reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has entered the knockout phase, and one of the top honours players will be competing for is the Golden Boot, awarded to the player with the most goals in the tournament.

Japan’s sensational smash-and-grab raids at the World Cup have already seen off Germany and Spain, but in the last 16 on Tuesday they come up against a Croatia side who might just be a little too streetwise for a mugging.

Croatia’s squad features only a few of the players which led them to the World Cup final in 2018, runners-up to France, but Luka Modric is defying time to be one of those few constants.

Brazil great Pele has not been moved to palliative care, one of his daughters said on Sunday, downplaying reports that he was in end-of-life care after the 82-year-old was hospitalized last week to re-evaluate his treatment as he battles colon cancer.

World Cup favourites Brazil confirmed Neymar to return for their last-16 match against South Korea on Monday, a news that came as a relief to the five-time World Champions who have a host of injury concerns in their squad.