Neymar strikes again for Brazil in first start after injury
Neymar scored his second goal in two matches since returning from injury yesterday, netting with a superb second-half strike as Brazil defeated Austria 3-0 in their final warm-up ahead of the World Cup.
Set up by Willian in the 63rd minute, Neymar wrong-footed defender Aleksandar Dragovic with a quick move and converted through the legs of goalkeeper Heinz Lindner for Brazil’s second goal.
Gabriel Jesus gave Brazil the lead after 36 minutes with a slick finish from a tight angle.
He was unmarked on the left side of the area when Marcelo’s deflected shot came his way and he curled the ball past Lindner before it hit the far post and went in. Philippe Coutinho added a third after being sent deep by Roberto Firmino 20 minutes from the end.
A week before Brazil’s World Cup opener against Switzerland, Neymar started for the first time since recovering from a right foot fracture which kept him out for three months and played 84 minutes.
“I don’t know the limit of Neymar,” Brazil coach Tite said when asked if his striker was back at full strength. “‘If [Austria] opens up in defence, go for it,’ I told him at the break. In the end, I thought it might be getting too much for him, so I took him off.”
A week ago, Neymar came on for the second half against Croatia in Liverpool and opened the scoring after dribbling past two opponents to help Brazil win 2-0.
Against Austria, he had no attempt on goal in the opening hour but went down three times following rough challenges by the home side.
But Neymar blossomed in the final half-hour, when Austria’s tight defence opened up, showing off his individual skills and crowning his performance with a fine finish that further cracked Austria’s resistance.
Douglas Costa’s return was also good news for Tite. The winger started training with the squad only last week after picking up a thigh injury during Juventus’ 2-1 win against Verona in the last round of the Serie A season. Costa is expected to be a back-up for Neymar during the World Cup.
However, Tite had midfielder Fred left off the team after he hurt his right ankle in training last week. Fred underwent further examinations in Vienna this weekend.