• Brazil forward Neymar lies flat on his back during the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Bolivia. Nelson Almeida / AFP
    Brazil forward Neymar lies flat on his back during the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Bolivia. Nelson Almeida / AFP
  • Brazil midfielder Casemiro heads the ball ahead of Bolivia's Marcelo Martins. Nelson Almeida / AFP
    Brazil midfielder Casemiro heads the ball ahead of Bolivia's Marcelo Martins. Nelson Almeida / AFP
  • Neymar breaks away from Bolivia's Raul Castro, left, and Christian Machado. Nelson Almeida / AFP
    Neymar breaks away from Bolivia's Raul Castro, left, and Christian Machado. Nelson Almeida / AFP
  • Bolivia's Gabriel Valverde attempts to control the ball ahead of Neymar. Nelson Almeida / AFP
    Bolivia's Gabriel Valverde attempts to control the ball ahead of Neymar. Nelson Almeida / AFP
  • Neymar adjusts his shin guard during the match. Leo Correa / AP Photo
    Neymar adjusts his shin guard during the match. Leo Correa / AP Photo
  • Neymar's attempted to shot at goal is blocked by Cristhian Machado. David Mercado / Reuters
    Neymar's attempted to shot at goal is blocked by Cristhian Machado. David Mercado / Reuters
  • Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus vies for the ball with Luis Gutierrez and Ronald Raldes of Bolivia. David Mercado / Reuters
    Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus vies for the ball with Luis Gutierrez and Ronald Raldes of Bolivia. David Mercado / Reuters
  • Brazil midfielder Willian is slide-tackled by Raul Castro of Bolivia. Daniel Rodrigo / Reuters
    Brazil midfielder Willian is slide-tackled by Raul Castro of Bolivia. Daniel Rodrigo / Reuters
  • Neymar attempts to shape a free-kick over the Bolivia wall. David Mercado / Reuters
    Neymar attempts to shape a free-kick over the Bolivia wall. David Mercado / Reuters
  • Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe at full stretch to block Neymar's effort on goal. David Mercado / Reuters
    Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe at full stretch to block Neymar's effort on goal. David Mercado / Reuters

Brazil forward Neymar blasts 'inhuman conditions' in Bolivia following goalless draw


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Brazil forward Neymar has complained about the "inhuman" conditions he and his teammates were subjected to during the 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia on Thursday night.

Brazil, already assured of top spot in South American qualifying for next summer's tournament in Russia, played out a goalless draw at the Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz.

The Brazilian players required oxygen following the match in the Bolivian capital, which is 11,932 feet above sea level.

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And Neymar, the world's most expensive footballer following his €222 million (Dh954.5m) move to Paris Saint-Germain in August, was not pleased with the conditions and expressed his thoughts in an Instagram post.

"Inhuman to play in such conditions, field, altitude, ball ... everything bad," he wrote. "But we were happy for the performance of the team even with these conditions!"

Brazil manager Tite praised the efforts of the medical team for taking care of the players, and insisted he was satisfied with the result and performance on the pitch.

"I have to praise our professionals for all the logistics of the medical department, that gave all the support to make people feel the effects less," he said.

"The performance surprised. Playing here is very difficult. Strategically, I was very happy. We were upright, offensive. I want to emphasise this great performance. I am happy for the performance but upset about the result."