TheCable

Neymar’s magic helped Brazil to a vital 4-1 win over a poor Cameroon side in Rio de Janeiro as the hosts top Group A. The first of the Barcelona attacker’s brace was Brazil’s 100th goal in its 100th World Cup appearance, and the hosts now face Chile in the last-16 of the World Cup.

Brazil’s line-up was, as expected, with Paulinho and Hulk returning to the side, and Neymar starting in attack alongside  much-criticised Fluminese attacker, Fred, who struggled throughout the first half but made up for it later on.

Neymar tucked in the first after 17 minutes from a Luiz Gustavo cross, but the delirious home crowd were silenced nine minutes later when Joel Matip equalised moments after he had hit the bar with a header.

The talismanic Neymar cut inside to fire in his second of the day and his fourth of this World Cup campaign in the 35th minute, and Brazil cruised home with a Fred header four minutes into the second half.

With Mexico leading Croatia 3-o in the group’s other simultaneous-played match, Brazil needed a goal from substitute Fernandinho six minutes from time to ensure they, rather than the Mexicans, were the ones who topped the group.

Brazil finish with seven points and will face Group B runners-up Chile in Belo Horizonte on Saturday, while Mexico, who came second after a 3-1 win over Croatia and will play Netherlands.

Cameroon were last after losing all three games, conceding a whopping nine goals and scoring just once in the process.