Neymar goal caps impressive Brazil win over feisty Austria

BRAZIL scored three superbly-taken goals to beat feisty Austria 3-0 in sweltering conditions yesterday and put the finishing touches to their impressive World Cup preparation.

Gabriel Jesus, Neymar and Philippe Coutinho shared the goals for the fivetimes champions who showed great patience in the first half as they worked to break Austria down before turning on the style after the interval.

Neymar started a game for the first time since injuring his metatarsal in February. It was also the first time the quartet of Neymar, Jesus, Coutinho and Willian had started a game together.

Neymar, substituted in the 83rd minute, was on the receiving end of some rough challenges and needed treatment after a tackle from behind from Aleksandar Dragovic who was booked. With the temperature hot enough for water breaks, tempers frayed as Casemiro replied with a rough tackle of his own.

Marko Arnautovic gave Brazil a couple of early frights before the South Americans went ahead in the 36th minute, Jesus scoring with a delightful dinked effort from a difficult angle after Marcelo’s shot rebounded to him.

Neymar’s goal in the 63rd minute was even better as he collected the ball on the left of the area, performed a drag-back which left Dragovic on the floor and sent his shot between goalkeeper Heinz Lindner’s legs.

That goal pulled him level with Romario’s total of 55 international goals, making him Brazil’s third joint top-scorer after Pele and Ronaldo.

Six minutes later, substitute Roberto Firmino set Coutinho clear down the left and he curled his shot wide of Lindner in for the third.