Neymar scores brilliant goal for Brazil on return from injury

Neymar against Croatia

Brazilian professional footballer Neymar scored a superb opening goal in his first match since February as Brazil defeated Croatia 2-0 at Anfield on Sunday.

The attacking midfielder,  Willian, impressive throughout for Brazil, picked the ball up in midfield and threaded the ball to Philippe Coutinho who found Neymar in the inside-left channel. The 26-year-old cut inside and skipped past two defenders before blasting the ball home off the underside of the crossbar. Neymar’s goal was his 54th for his country and he needs one to reach Romario as the third most prolific Brazil striker of all time behind Pele and Ronaldo.

Croatia’s hard pressing had frustrated Brazil in the first 45 minutes and they needed keeper Alisson to get down well to keep out a drive from Andrej Kramaric after Miranda gave the ball away.But after the break, the Croatians began to defend deeper and allowed Brazil the space to begin to express themselves – a situation Neymar exploited to the full.