Neymar scored one goal and set up two more as Brazil defeated Australia 6-0 in a friendly at Estadio Nacional on Saturday.
Jo bagged a double, both within the first half hour, and Ramires, Pato and Luiz Gustavo also scored to equal Brazil’s highest score against Australia from the 1997 Confederations Cup final.
Australia never looked like troubling Brazil, who dominated possession and capitalized on a sleepy defense.
Photo: Reuters
Before the match, Brazil midfielder Oscar was ruled out due to an ankle injury suffered in training, which is sure to concern his Chelsea club boss Jose Mourinho, and just before halftime, Brazil and Real Madrid leftback Marcelo was stretchered off with a hamstring injury.
The floodgates opened in the eighth minute when striker Jo scored after Neymar’s cross to Bernard ricocheted off the woodwork, only to rebound to Jo.
Jo doubled his tally in the 31st, after beating Australia skipper Lucas Neil.
Neymar went close to scoring in the 22nd after dancing around three defenders within the penalty box, and hit the back of the net in the 35th after a one-on-one with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to record Brazil’s third. The goal was Neymar’s 25th in 41 appearances.
In the second half, Ramires headed in a cross from Maxwell in the 58th minute, and Brazil took their foot off the pedal until the 71st, when Pato scored after being set up by Neymar.
It was the first time Schwarzer has conceded more than four goals on international duty. It was his 109th appearance.
The best, and last, goal came in the 81st minute from Luiz Gustavo, who chested the ball down, ran wide to the left and fired into the top left corner from well outside the box.
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