Neymar scored on his return to action after three months out through injury as Brazil warmed up for the World Cup with a 2-0 friendly win over Croatia at Anfield on Sunday.
The most expensive player in the world has been sidelined since February 25, when he fractured a metatarsal and sprained his ankle playing for Paris St Germain in a French league match against Olympique de Marseille.
The former Barcelona forward, key to his country's hopes in Russia, came on as a halftime substitute and provided the moment of inspiration for win the game in the 69th minute.
Willian, impressive throughout for Brazil, picked the ball up in midfield and threaded the ball to 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.
(Image: REUTERS)
(Image: PA)
(Image: AFP)
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.
Another substitute, Roberto Firmino, delighted the Liverpool fans in the Anfield crowd by adding the second in stoppage-time with a well-taken lob from inside the area.
(Image: REUTERS)
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
Brazil's opening game in World Cup Group E is against Switzerland and they also face Costa Rica and Serbia in the first round.
The five-times world champions have one more friendly before the tournament, against Austria in Vienna on June 10.
TRIBUNJOGJA.COM - Brasil dijadwalkan bertemu dengan Krosia pada laga persahabatan internasional di Anfield, Liverpool Minggu (3/5/2018).
Brasil adalah satu dari beberapa klub favorit yang sering dijagokan pada ajang piala dunia, sementara, Kroasia adalah 'tim kuda hitam' yang juga memiliki materi pemain mumpuni.
Dikutip Tribunjogja.com dari goal.com, laga nanti adalah pertandingan pra-Piala Dunia pertama bagi keduanya dan berharap memetik poin positif.
Brasil disebut masih tanpa Neymar yang belum 100 persen pulih dari cedera, namun Brasil masih memiliki banyak pemain bersinar, termasuk pada di final Liga Champions.
Hanya saja ada kabar, Roberto Firmino kemungkinan akan diistirahatkan setelah Liga Champions, dan menyisakan Gabriel Jesus sebagai penyerang tengah.
Pelatih Kroasia Zlatko Dalic mengatakan, dirinya memutuskan hasil akhir pemain mana yang akan dibawa ke Piala dunia.
Oleh sebab itu, disiapkan pemain 27 yang diikut sertakan ke Anfield hinggga nanti diputuskan siapa daftar pemain yang ikut di Piala Dunia Rusia.
Brasil : Alisson; Danilo, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Marcelo; Casemiro; Willian, Paulinho, Fernandinho, Coutinho; Gabriel Jesus.
Kroasia: Kalinic; Vrsaljko, Lovren, Corluka, Pivaric; Rakitic, Modric; Pjaca, Brozovic, Kovacic; Mandzukic.
Untuk di Inggris, pertandingan nanti dijadwalkan akan tayang di LFC TV dan online dengan LFC TV Go.
