Brazil star Neymar made a stunning return from injury with a superb goal in their 2-0 friendly victory over Croatia on Sunday. Just 98 days after suffering an injury he feared would keep him out of the upcoming World Cup in Russia, Neymar was back with a bang at Anfield.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward appeared as a half-time replacement for Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho as the Selecao stepped up their World Cup preparations. And Neymar needed just 23 minutes to prove how important he is to Brazil's hopes of a sixth world title.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Receiving a pass from Philippe Coutinho, Neymar cut into the area, beating Sime Vrsaljko and Duje Caleta-Car with impressive close control, before burying a shot into the roof of the goal, via the crossbar, from the edge of the six-yard area.
Neymar ran behind the goal, in front of Anfield's Kop End, and punched the air in obvious delight as he was mobbed by teammates.
The sublime strike leaves Neymar on 54 goals for his national team, one behind Romario, who is third on the country's all-time list, and with only Pele and Ronaldo ahead of him in the Brazil record books.
Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, on his home ground, completed the victory in the final minute of stoppage time when he controlled a through ball on his chest and calmly beat the advancing keeper with a delicate lob after chesting the ball down perfectly.
'IT WAS BEYOND MY EXPECTATIONS'
Brazil coach Tite said he was surprised how well Neymar performed on his return but said the forward required patience.
"He came back better than I expected. I expected much less, because it is a process," Tite told reporters after the game. "He has to go through stages. He is going to have ups and downs. By the third, fourth or fifth game then he will be back to his level," added the Brazil coach.
Wearing the number 10 shirt, made famous by Pele, Neymar's popularity soared after he led Brazil to their first Olympic gold medal win in Rio in 2014.
"He is a player that is different but he can't be given all the responsibility to decide the game, that's not humane, he is a key part but not everything," he said, declining to comment if the 26-year-old would start in the next friendly against Austria in Vienna on June 10.
NEYMAR MADE THE DIFFERENCE, SAYS MODRIC
"It's nice to see him on the field again. He's a star, one of the best players in the world. I believe that in the first half we were on equal footing," Croatia's Luka Modrid said after the match.
"However, they improved in the second half when Neymar came in; that made the difference. They deserved to win."
When asked about a possible partnership with Neymar at Real Madrid, Modric laughed and said: "Let's see what happens."
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