Neymar scores again as Brazil defeat Austria in final World Cup warm-up game
Neymar scored his second goal in two matches since returning from injury yesterday, netting with a superb second-half strike as Brazil beat Austria 3-0 in their final warm-up game ahead of the World Cup.
Set up by Willian in the 63rd minute, Neymar wrong-footed Austria defender Aleksandar Dragovic with a quick move and converted through the legs of goalkeeper Heinz Lindner for Brazil’s second goal.
Neymar then pulled his shirt back over his head and made the “V’’ sign with both hands.
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 20 minutes from the end.
A week before Brazil’s World Cup opener against Switzerland, Neymar started for the first time since recovering from fracturing his right foot which kept him out for three months. He stayed on for almost the entire game, being replaced in the 84th by Douglas Costa.
A week ago, Neymar came on for the second half against Croatia in Liverpool and had an immediate impact as he 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.
The first scare came in the third minute after a late tackle from behind by midfielder Alessandro Schoepf. Similar fouls were committed by Florian Grillitsch in the 35th and Sebastian Proedl in the 53rd.
Each time, Neymar remained sat on the pitch and holding his left ankle with a painful face, though he eventually got up and did not looked hampered during play.
He 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.