Scorer in Brazil’s big victory against Chile (4-0), the Parisian striker signed a great performance.
Nothing like a short trip to Brazil to forget the Parisian gloom! Neymar found a smile in the shirt of the Seleçao by scoring in the resounding 4-0 victory over Chile on Thursday at the Maracana.
This result practically seals the fate of La Roja, who will need a miracle on the last day of South American qualifying to compete in a play-off for the 2022 World Cup. Brazil had already validated its ticket to Qatar in November.
By converting a penalty for a foul he himself suffered (44th), Neymar, who had missed the last rally in the national team for injury, scored at 30 his 71st goal in 117 games in the jersey of Brazil, six units from King Pelé.
The Paris SG striker was also decisive on the second Brazilian goal, with a call that boarded the Chilean defense, leaving the field open for Vinicius, who doubled the bet (45th + 1).
Philippe Coutinho also scored a penalty (71st) and Richarlison scored the fourth Brazilian goal (90th +1), on a pass from ex-Lyonnais Bruno Guimaraes.
«ney» moved up to second in the South American qualifying goalscoring chart with eight goals, two less than Bolivian Marcelo Moreno.
But beyond these statistics, it is balm to the heart that Neymar came to seek in Rio de Janeiro, after being booed by PSG supporters after the elimination against Real Madrid in the round of 16 of Champions League.
At the Maracana, he was treated to a resounding ovation from the supporters when the announcer chanted his name when the line-ups were announced.
A little tense at the start of the match, while the Selectionunderwent a big Chilean pressing, the Brazilian number 10 was annoyed when his free kick exploded in the wall (7th).
But he quickly got his bearings, combining well with Paqueta in the center and a twirling Vinicius on the left wing.
Twice (18th, 37th), the young Real Madrid striker found Neymar in the area, without the latter managing to deceive the Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
It will be done just before the break, on a justified penalty, after a tackle from behind by Mauricio Isla in the area.
Vinicius put Brazil out of harm’s way in stoppage time in the first half, his first goal in 12 games for the Seleçao, on receiving a good pass from Antony.
The latter also suffered the less obvious foul, leading to a penalty and Brazil’s third goal. Neymar could have come even closer to Pelé’s record, but preferred to let his friend Philippe Coutinho shoot, who has recovered since his transfer from Barça to Aston Villa.
The only downside for «Ney»: he will be suspended for the last day of qualifying, in Bolivia, because of a yellow card received after an altercation with Paulo Diaz.