Brazil defender Danilo has shown positive signs in his recovery from an ankle injury while Neymar is racing against time to be fit for their last 16 clash against South Korea, team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said after Friday's 1-0 defeat by Cameroon.

Brazilian football legend Pele, who was hospitalized this week amid ongoing cancer treatments, has developed a respiratory infection, but is in stable condition and "showing general improvement," his doctors said Friday.

Cameroon defeated a second-string Brazil team 1-0 in their final Group G match at the Lusail Stadium on Friday but it was not enough as the African side were knocked out of the competition.

Brazil have already cemented their spot in the last 16 and will go through as group champions as long as they avoid defeat against third-placed Cameroon, who would first need to win but would have to bank on other results going their way to qualify.

Brazil coach Tite is expected to rotate his World Cup squad for their final Group G match against Cameroon on Friday, with a view to keeping some players fresh for a likely last-16 match on Monday if they finish top of their group.

Brazilian football legend Pele has been hospitalised again, but there is "no emergency," his daughter said Wednesday, the latest health issue for the 82-year-old icon, who has been in treatment following a colon tumor.

Brazil winger Antony has claimed the air conditioning inside stadiums has been making him and other members of the Brazil team ill. 

Neymar has lauded Casemiro as "the best midfielder in the world" after the latter fired Brazil into the knockout rounds of the World Cup against Switzerland.

Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes admitted the World Cup favourites lacked some of their usual verve after they needed a late Casemiro strike to beat Switzerland and secure a place in the last 16.

A Brazil side lacking spark without the injured Neymar needed a late strike from Casemiro to edge out Switzerland 1-0 on Monday as the five-time winners secured their place in the World Cup last 16 with one game to spare.

Five-time champions Brazil will face Switzerland on Monday without their talisman Neymar and ever-reliable full back Danilo, both of whom were ruled out by ankle injuries suffered in their opening 2-0 win against Serbia at the World Cup on Thursday.

Two decades have gone by since South America last won the World Cup. Brazil’s 2002 triumph coincided with the first time the tournament was staged in Asia. Now, as the World Cup returns to the continent, might that long dry run come to an end?  Brazil and Argentina, South America’s big two, are looking very good in the run up to Qatar. In fact, it is hard to think of a time when the pair of them have looked better.

Richarlison has always had a flair for the dramatic and the Brazil striker is relishing his chance to seize the World Cup spotlight after being reduced to a supporting role at Tottenham.

Brazilian duo Neymar and Danilo will miss Brazil's remaining World Cup group games against Switzerland and Cameroon after sustaining injuries in Thursday's opening 2-0 victory over Serbia, the team's doctor said on Friday.

Football legend Pele gave Brazil a virtual pre-match pep talk Thursday as the national team prepared to make their World Cup debut, telling them: "Bring this trophy home."

Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic acknowledged the strength of the Brazil team after losing 2-0 to them at the World Cup on Thursday but was struggling to understand a "strange" drop in intensity from his own players.

Brazilian striker Neymar should be fine to continue in the World Cup despite limping off with a swollen ankle during his team's 2-0 victory over Serbia on Thursday, coach Tite said.

Here’s how we might see a Brazil vs Argentina match this World Cup.

I do not remember there being a World Cup where the Brazilian team was not one of the favourites. Even on their worst days they were expected to win and this World Cup season they have got a great team, and certainly are one of the favourites. Without a doubt, the samba dance is one of the most popular dances in Brazil and has become a symbol of its cultural identity. The dance transcends colour and class and is a representation of Brazilian culture. With Brazil under the spotlight, we focus on the samba dance.

Five-time champions Brazil are keeping their cards close to their chest under the spotlight of being the odds-on favorites as they prepare to face Serbia in their World Cup Group G opener on Thursday.