Elano's injury relief

Elano: Relieved

Brazil midfielder Elano has thanked his daughters for saving him from serious injury against Ivory Coast.

Elano was stretchered off with a shin injury after a late tackle from Ivory Coast defender Cheik Tiote and it was feared he could have suffered a serious blow.

Former Manchester City star Elano celebrated scoring his side's third goal against Ivory Coast by holding up shin pads emblazoned with the names of his daughters, Maria Teresa and Maria Clara and he insists that is what saved him from a lengthy lay-off.

Elano is expected to be fit for Brazil's final group game against Portugal and the 29-year-old is relieved to have escaped serious injury.

"I thought it was broken. I was in despair," said Elano.

"My daughters saved me. The shin pad was there. Thank God it wasn't serious."

Elano believes referees at the World Cup are being too soft when it comes to punishing harsh play.

"I forgive because I am not a player that feels remorse," added Elano. "But I believe referees should be much tougher because in this case the foul was committed close to where the official (Stephane Lannoy) was."