Brazil stars Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles ruled out of World Cup with injuries

Favourites suffer double blow ahead of last 16 clash against South Korea

Brazil forward Neymar (R) with Gabriel Jesus at the end of the defeat against Cameroon. AFP

Gabriel Jesus and his strapped knee during the Group G match against Cameroon. EPA

Vincent Aboubakar heads home as Cameroon beat Brazil 1-0 in their World Cup group-stage match at Lusail Stadium on December 2, 2022. Getty

Vincent Aboubakar of celebrates after scoring for Cameroon. Getty

Referee Ismail Elfath shows a red card to Vincent Aboubakar after the Cameroon player took his shirt off after scoring and was booked for a second time. Getty

Cameroon's Pierre Kunde attempts to block a shot by Rodrygo of Brazil. Getty

Brazil's Telles Alex receives treatment on the pitch in the second half. PA

Neymar of Brazil looks on from the bench. Getty

Brazil's Gabriel Martinelli misses a chance. AP

Brazil winger Antony goes down after a challenge by Cameroon's Tolo Nouhou. AP

Cameroon's Pierre Kunde skips past past a challenge by Antony of Brazil. PA

Brazil midfielder Fred shoots at goal. Getty

Brazil's Dani Alves heads the ball. AP

Brazil's Gabriel Martinelli after missing a chance. Getty

Gabriel Martinelli of Brazil shoots at goal. Getty

Brazil's forward Gabriel Jesus and defender Alex Telles have both been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup after picking up knee injuries in their final Group G game against Cameroon, the country's football association said on Saturday.

Telles was substituted in the 54th minute of Brazil's 1-0 defeat by the African side, with Jesus leaving the pitch 10 minutes later.

"Players Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus underwent tests on Saturday morning accompanied by Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar and a MRI on their right knees confirmed the extent of the injuries and the impossibility of recovery in time to participate in the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022," the CBF said in a statement.

World Cup favourites Brazil face South Korea in the last 16 on Monday. It is yet to be decided if Arsenal's Jesus and Telles - on loan at Sevilla from Manchester United - will remain in Qatar or return to their clubs for treatment.

Other Brazilian players are hoping to overcome injuries in time to rejoin the team.

Neymar is still recovering from an ankle injury suffered in their win against Serbia, and they have only one pure full back available after left back Telles injury in the Cameroon game.

Cameroon v Brazil player ratings

Starting full backs Danilo and Alex Sandro have been sidelined by injuries suffered earlier in the competition and their availability is still unclear for Monday.

If neither can play, centre back Marquinhos could perhaps switch to the left and 39-year-old Dani Alves, who became the oldest Brazilian to start a World Cup match against Cameroon, could be tried out on the right.

If Tite opts to use Real Madrid centre back Eder Militao as a full back, as he did in the absence of Danilo against Switzerland, Brazil would have no other defenders to sit on the bench.