Brazil 3 Portugal 1: Neymar fires a World Cup warning as Scolari’s side begin to hit their stride

Sep 12, 2013 Sports

Daily Mail – If England fans were left worrying about their World Cup prospects after scraping to a goalless draw in Ukraine, on this evidence Neymar and Brazil have much to look forward to next summer.
Yes, it was only a friendly against a Portugal side devoid of talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, but the 21-year-old once again showed he has the potential to emerge out of the shadow of Barcelona

Neymar bewitched the Portuguese all night, capping a magnificent display with a remarkable solo goal. (Reuters)

eam-mate Lionel Messi.
In another headline-grabbing outing, he was at the heart of Brazil’s attacking intent and capped a display packed with trademark trickery, explosive pace and vision with a magnificent goal, giving Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side a 2-1 lead which they never looked like surrendering.
After leading the likes of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo to World Cup success in 2002, there are signs that Scolari could mount a similar assault on the most-coveted prize in football with this current crop.
With Thiago Silva and David Luiz an aggressive, ball-playing barrier at the heart of defence, the loss of first-choice full backs Marcelo and Dani Alves failed to quell the Brazilians’ natural attacking instinct.
Chelsea’s Ramires and Tottenham’s Paulinho provided the ideal platform for Neymar to flourish, and with Maxwell and Bernard ever-willing targets, Paulo Bento’s Portugal had their work cut out from the off.
However, it was the Portuguese who took a surprise lead in the 18th minute. Thiago Silva showed typical bravery to block Joao Moutinho’s shot, but the looping ball caught the Brazilian defence on the back foot. Former Liverpool and Chelsea midfielder Raul Meireles gambled and darted into space. As Maicon’s weak backward header fell to his feet, he drilled past a helpless Julio Cesar for his ninth goal in a Portugal shirt.
It did not take long for parity to be restored. After being recklessly fouled by Bruno Alves – the defender was lucky to stay on the pitch for hitting him in the face with left wrist and elbow – Neymar took control.
In the 24th minute he whipped a precise corner to the far post. Thiago Silva thundered an unstoppable bullet header past Rui Patricio and Brazil were reborn. Six minutes later, the poster boy of World Cup 2014 showed he can handle any pressure that comes his way with a superb solo goal.
Picking up the ball in the inside left channel, he skipped past challenges and honed in on goal.
Portugal were helpless, desperate men but Neymar gracefully evaded the last-ditch attentions of Bruno Alves and Fabio Coentrao before firing a sublime finish.
‘It has been a game of intensity, commitment and most of all some real quality,’ said BT Sport’s co-commentator Clive Allen. It was hard to disagree as the second-half started as the first ended.

Jo (third left), who scored the third, clears a corner. (Getty Images)

Yet again, Neymar was the catalyst. He sublimely found Maxwell on the left flank and the full-back flighted a perfectly weighted pass to find former Manchester City man Jo in the six-yard box.
Showing a perfect nose for goal again – he netted twice against Australia in the 6-0 win at the weekend – he was left with a simple sidefoot home to make it 3-1.
With the typical flurry of substitutions late on, the game lost some of its sparkle but Neymar was treated to his own standing ovation with the introduction of Louis Moura in the 89th minute.
And if he continues in this rich vein of form, who is say what awaits him in his homeland next year.