Austria 0 - 3 Brazil: Neymar scores 55th Brazil goal as they beat Austria in final World Cup warm-up

Posted Monday, June 11, 2018 by PA

Neymar’s scintillating goal drew him level with Romario in Brazil’s all time top scorers list as they cruised to a 3-0 win against Austria.

The Paris St Germain striker scored his 55th goal for his country in Sunday’s victory, their final World Cup warm-up match.

He is now equal third in Brazil’s scoring charts with Romario and only behind Ronaldo (62) and Pele (77) after scoring in Vienna.

Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring while Philippe Coutinho added a third in the second half.

The victory capped Brazil’s World Cup preparations ahead of their opener in Russia against Switzerland next Sunday.

Tite’s side – out to put right their 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany four years ago – also face Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E.

An open start saw Casemiro fire wide after eight minutes and 10 minutes later Neymar tested Heinz Lindner, shooting straight at the goalkeeper from 25 yards.

Austria almost opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Alessandro Schopf volleyed just wide following Alisson’s punch.

Paulinho went close when his drive was turned wide by Lindner but it was only a temporary reprieve as Brazil scored from the resulting corner nine minutes before the break.

Austria only half cleared and Marcelo’s drive deflected to Jesus for the forward to curl in from an angle.

Four minutes later Lindner gathered Philippe Coutinho’s drive and Austria survived again after a mix-up between Sebastian Prodl and Lindner almost let Jesus in.

In first-half injury time Marko Arnautovic nearly found an opening after Aleksandar Dragovic’s pass but could not connect.

Austria remained in the game and dominated possession early in the second half and gave Coutinho and Neymar some rough treatment, to the frustration of Brazil.

But Neymar got his goal when he latched onto Willian’s pass and stunning footwork saw him slot in after 63 minutes.

Coutinho then made it 3-0 six minutes later when he swapped passes with former Liverpool team-mate Roberto Firmino and curled a finish around Lindner.

Barcelona star Coutinho hit the bar with 16 minutes left when he nearly caught Lindner out.

Austria nearly grabbed a consolation but Alisson – who had been a second-half spectator – turned Stefan Hierlander’s drive over before Arnautovic fizzed a shot wide with four minutes remaining.