Brazil's Raphinha ruled out of Scotland match with muscle injury as World Cup campaign continues
Brazil forward Raphinha will miss the next World Cup group match against Scotland after suffering a muscle injury in his right thigh during Friday's 3-0 win over Haiti, but the team remains hopeful he can return later in the tournament.
Injury in Philadelphia
Raphinha limped off in the 40th minute of Brazil's 3-0 victory over Haiti at Lincoln Financial Field. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed on Saturday that an imaging exam revealed a muscle lesion in the back of his right thigh.
Treatment and prognosis
He will follow an intensive treatment protocol, the CBF said. A Reuters source close to the team described the outlook as optimistic, and the Seleção intend to keep him within the squad. However, Ouest France and Blick report that he will definitely miss the midweek match against Scotland.
Raphinha is a little downcast; we hope it's nothing too serious, that it's the least worst-case scenario, because he's a very important player.
Recurring hamstring concerns
This is the fourth hamstring issue in the past year for the 29-year-old Barcelona winger. He sat out 23 club matches last season and was sidelined for over a month after a similar setback in a March friendly against France.
Next for Brazil
Brazil face Scotland in Miami on Wednesday (or early Thursday according to Ouest France) for their final Group C fixture. Coach Carlo Ancelotti will have Neymar available for that match, Ouest France reported. Raphinha was replaced by Rayan against Haiti. Brazil top the group on four points, ahead of Morocco on goal difference, with Scotland on three and Haiti eliminated.
