Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal against Ghana and other World Cup news and highlights

By Ben Church, Issy Ronald, Amy Woodyatt, Ben Morse and Patrick Sung, CNN

Updated 1102 GMT (1902 HKT) November 25, 2022
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5:29 p.m. ET, November 24, 2022

Action on Day 5 comes to an end

That's the end of the action on Day 5 of the World Cup, as Brazil brings things to a close with a 2-0 win over Serbia.

Every team has now played in Qatar, with England, Spain, France and Brazil the standout performers so far, with Saudi Arabia and Japan delivering major upsets by beating Argentina and Germany.

There are four more matches on Friday, as host Qatar faces Senegal and looks to put a disappointing opening day loss behind it, while England looks to secure its place in the knockout stages with a win against the United States Men's National Team.

Join us then.

5:02 p.m. ET, November 24, 2022

Brazil dealt injury blow as Neymar limps off with swollen ankle

Neymar of Brazil lies on the turf with his face contorted in pain, holding his ankle. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa (Photo by Robert Michael/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Neymar of Brazil lies on the turf with his face contorted in pain, holding his ankle. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa (Photo by Robert Michael/picture alliance via Getty Images) (Robert Michael//picture alliance/dpa/Getty Images)

Brazil's joy following its 2-0 win over Serbia appeared to be dampened almost immediately as it became apparent star man Neymar suffered a significant ankle injury.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward was substituted with 10 minutes remaining after going down under a challenge and Neymar looked emotional once he got to the bench, sitting down and covering his face with his shirt.

Neymar's swollen ankle as he leaves the field.
Neymar's swollen ankle as he leaves the field. (Giuseppe Cacase/AFP/Getty Images)

Cameras caught Neymar looking down at his ankle, which appeared to be very swollen as he made his way off the pitch.

It will no doubt be a huge concern to Brazil -- and football fans around the world -- whose chances of success would decrease considerably without Neymar.

4:59 p.m. ET, November 24, 2022

Routine thrashings and major upsets: the best of the World Cup so far

From CNN's Alasdair Howorth

Spain's forward #11 Ferran Torres scores a penalty during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Spain and Costa Rica at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 23.
Spain's forward #11 Ferran Torres scores a penalty during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Spain and Costa Rica at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 23. (Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty Images)

So 16 games played, with another 48 matches to go at the 2022 World Cup. There have been four 0-0 draws already -- Russia 2018 only saw one -- but a few teams have recorded statement wins.

England arrived in Qatar having endured the worst buildup to a World Cup in its history. But Gareth Southgate's team dispelled any criticism by thrashing Iran 6-2, its second largest victory at the tournament.

Likewise, France came to the World Cup having lost its dynamic midfield duo of Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kanté to injury, not to mention Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema.

After going behind to Australia early on it looked like the curse of the defending champion would strike France just as it had the previous four winners in their opening games. But a brace from Olivier Giroud and goals from Adrian Rabiot and Kylian Mbappé sealed a French comeback and a flying start to its World Cup defence.

Spain's 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica set a new level of excellence at Qatar 2022 -- arguably the most dominant performance in a World Cup game this century. Not only did La Roja score seven, but Luis Enrique's side did not let Costa Rica take a single shot during the 90 minutes. Dominance.

Meanwhile, Brazil carries the heavy burden as pre-tournament favorite, and it showed in a difficult first half against Serbia. Then Richarlison got to work, grabbing a double, including an early contender for goal of the tournament with an acrobatic finish to give the Seleção a 2-0 win.

Brazil showed its unbelievable attacking depth as Neymar Jr. and younger stars like Vinicius Jr., Raphinha, Richarlisan and Rodrygo took center stage in a new and thrilling Brazil side looking to showcase a 2022 edition of jogo bonito (the beautiful game) at the World Cup.

However, the biggest winners of the first round of fixtures were arguably not from Europe or South America, but from Asia.

Saudi Arabia came into the tournament as one of the lowest ranked sides and with an unknown team entirely hailing from domestic club football.

In the path of the Green Falcons was an Argentina side unbeaten in 36 games and led by Lionel Messi in his pursuit of the only trophy that has eluded him in his glittering career.

But the Saudis were not daunted, coming from behind to score two brilliant goals and cause the biggest upset in World Cup history.

Just a day later, Japan followed up with a seismic shock of its own, turning over Germany. Like Saudi Arabia, the Samurai Blue went behind to a first-half penalty, but turned it around to earn the most famous win in Japan's history.

3:58 p.m. ET, November 24, 2022

Full time: Brazil 2-0 Serbia

Neymar celebrates Brazil's first goal, which he helped create.
Neymar celebrates Brazil's first goal, which he helped create. (Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)

Job done for Brazil in its opening match of Qatar 2022.

It wasn't always pretty -- the first half in particular was a slog -- but the Seleção certainly improved as the second half wore on and were worthy winners thanks to Richarlison's two goals.

That second goal, a stunner from Richarlison, really broke the Serbians' resolve and Brazil finally began to play some jogo bonito, which was greeted by 'olés' from the stands.

It wasn't vintage Brazil, but Tite's iteration of the national team is known as much for its pragmatism as its aesthetics.

3:37 p.m. ET, November 24, 2022

GOAL! Richarlison gets his second and that should be game over

Richarlison scores his spectacular second goal against Serbia.
Richarlison scores his spectacular second goal against Serbia. (Amanda Perobelli/Reuters)

What. A. Goal.

Richarlison produces a stunning acrobatic finish to bag his and Brazil's second goal of the game.

It looks like a long way back now for Serbia.

3:33 p.m. ET, November 24, 2022

GOAL! Brazil finally breaks the deadlock

Richarlison celebrates his opening goal next to Neymar.
Richarlison celebrates his opening goal next to Neymar. (Matthew Childs/Reuters)

It took more than an hour, but that Brazil goal had been coming.

It was created by Neymar Jr., who danced his way through the Serbia defense to set up a shot for Vinicius Jr.

The effort is well saved by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, but Richarlison is on hand to prod home the rebound.

3:11 p.m. ET, November 24, 2022

FIFA has confirmed rainbow-colored items will be allowed inside World Cup stadiums, says Welsh FA

From CNN’s Matt Foster

The Welsh Football Association (FAW) said FIFA told the federation on Thursday that rainbow-colored flags and hats will be permitted in FIFA World Cup stadiums in Qatar.

“In response to the FAW, FIFA has confirmed that fans with Rainbow Wall bucket hats and rainbow flags will be allowed entry to the stadium for @Cymru’s match against Iran on Friday," FAW said in a statement on its official Twitter account.

"All World Cup venues have been contacted and instructed to follow the agreed rules & regulations," it said.

It added: "The FAW urges FIFA to adhere to their message that everybody will be welcome in Qatar during the World Cup and continue to highlight any further human rights issues. We remain with the belief that football is for EVERYONE.”

Here's some background: Ahead of Wales’ opening World Cup fixture against the USA, Laura McAllister, who captained the Welsh women’s national football team in the 1990s, says she was stopped by security officials and had her rainbow-colored hat confiscated before she was allowed to enter the stadium to watch Wales play against the United States.

The FAW’s CEO spoke to Sky Sports on Thursday about that incident and others like it, before detailing the FAW’s response.

“To have them [the rainbow hats] taken off the heads of our supporters, our own staff are amongst them, that was quite a shaky experience,” Neil Mooney said. “We were really appalled by that. We wrote to FIFA and said: ‘Look, we were promised an open, inclusive World Cup – and that’s not the case here.’

“FIFA got in contact with me to say: ‘Look, that was a localized issue in the stadium’ – that’s a little bit strange because it’s happened in other stadiums as well. Thankfully they’ve got back to us just in the last couple of hours, in writing, to say our fans can wear rainbow-related clothing tomorrow.”

CNN reached out to FIFA for official comment and were directed to FAW’s tweet.

Next up: Wales face Iran in a crucial Group B match on Friday.

3:07 p.m. ET, November 24, 2022

Brazil and Serbia get back underway

An early chance in the second half for Brazil after a Serbian defensive error, but goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saves well.

It could be a busy half for the Serbian stopper.

2:49 p.m. ET, November 24, 2022

Half time: Brazil 0-0 Serbia

Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic gathers the ball next to Brazil's Thiago Silva.
Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic gathers the ball next to Brazil's Thiago Silva. (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images)

Not much to write home about after the opening 45 minutes.

Brazil has certainly been the more dominant side but has failed to create any chances of real note.

Casemiro had a pop from long range that stung the palms of Vanja Milinkovic-Savic but Serbia's defense has so far done a good job to stifle Brazil's considerable attacking talent.