The hosts threatened to storm ahead from the get-go but failed to make their early superiority count. They had to wait till the 23rd minute to take the lead when defender Marquinhos bundled it home from close range.
Soon after Richarlison had a goal disallowed, rightfully, due to offside before Neymar had a shy after cutting in from the left – but failed to hit the target.
Early in the second half, Gabriel Jesus was able to find space down the right and fired in a low cross towards Neymar at the far post but the world’s most expensive footballer wasn’t able to finish off a sitter by his standards. The superstar forward though was the driving force behind most attacking moves by the hosts.
Shortly after the hour mark, Brazil doubled their lead as Neymar scored his 67th international goal from the penalty spot after Danilo was brought down by Yohan Cumana inside the box. Neymar is now 10 goals away from from Pele’s all-time record for Brazil.
Neymar almost found the back of the…