The Brazilian national team were today handed a pair of boosts on the injury front, ahead of their crunch World Cup quarter-final clash with Belgium on Friday.
The two countries are set to go head to head in the 2nd of the day’s final-8 fixtures in 3 days’ time, in one of the most high-profile showdowns of the competition thus far.
Belgium secured progression to the quarter-finals in stunning circumstances last night, overturning a 2-goal deficit to eventually clinch a winning goal with the last kick of the game versus Japan
Brazil, meanwhile, made relatively short work of Mexico in their own last-16 tie yesterday afternoon, with goals from Neymar and Roberto Firmino having done the damage.
However, though the Selecao have now clinched a trio of 2-0 wins on the trot, their excellent form has been marred by problems on the personnel front, with all of Danilo, Marcelo and Douglas Costa having picked up injuries over the last couple of weeks.
All 3 missed out on a place in Brazil’s starting lineup yesterday, with Costa having not even been fit enough for a place on the bench.
But, in a huge boost for the South American giants this afternoon, it was confirmed that both Real Madrid stopper Marcelo and Juventus winger Costa had returned to full training with the rest of the Brazilian squad.
Boa notícia! Douglas Costa foi liberado para voltar aos treinos com o restante do grupo e já participou da atividade hoje. 💪⚽️🇧🇷 #GigantesPorNatureza #Copa2018 pic.twitter.com/sr99WkzHjR
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) July 3, 2018