MY ACCOUNT
Neymar closed in on Pele’s all-time Brazil goalscoring record as the Selecao eased to a commanding 5-1 win over 10-man Tunisia at the Parc des Princes.
Playing on his home ground at club level, the Paris Saint-Germain forward netted his 75th senior international goal from the penalty spot – moving two shy of equalling the tally of legendary striker Pele.
Raphinha struck twice, while Richarlison and Pedro were also on target as Tite’s side completed their World Cup preparations in emphatic fashion.
Montassar Talbi scored what proved a consolation for Tunisia, who had Dylan Bronn sent off as they suffered their first defeat in eight games.
Brazil led in the 11th minute when Casemiro’s floated ball into the box was met by Raphinha, who sent a looping header beyond the dive of Aymen Dahmen.
Tunisia responded as Talbi nodded in from Anis Ben Slimane’s free-kick, but the Selecao regained the lead less than two minutes later with Richarlison latching onto Raphinha’s neat throughball and drilling through Dahmen’s legs.
Neymar made it 3-1 when he calmly converted from 12 yards after Aissa Laidouni dragged down Casemiro, before Raphinha fired home his second goal of the game from Richarlison’s lay-off.
Tunisia were reduced to 10 men before the break with Bronn shown a straight red card for a rash challenge on Neymar.
Antony and Vinicius Junior went close to increasing the advantage in the second half, before Pedro scored Brazil’s fifth 16 minutes from time – the Flamengo forward brilliantly volleying in his first international goal.
Casemiro and Thiago Silva each almost made it six, but the Selecao had already done more than enough to stretch their unbeaten streak to 15 matches.
What does it mean? Brazil head to Qatar with momentum
The Selecao have now won each of their past seven matches and will take some stopping at the World Cup later this year.
Tunisia arrived in Paris having not conceded since their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final defeat by Burkina Faso in January, but it was always going to take a monumental effort to preserve that streak here.
Raphinha at the double
The Barcelona forward continued his impressive start to senior international football, having now scored five times in 11 caps.
His double – a wonderful looping header and terrific first-time strike – came from a game-high five shots, while his tally of three crosses also was not bettered.
Richarlison impressive again
Fresh from scoring twice against Ghana on Friday, Richarlison picked up from where he left off with another well-taken goal here.
Although he only played the first 45 minutes in Paris, the Tottenham forward is doing his chances of leading the line in Qatar no harm. He has now netted seven times in six internationals.
What’s next?
Full of confidence, Brazil launch their quest for a sixth World Cup triumph against Serbia in Group G on November 24. Two days earlier, Tunisia begin their Group D campaign against Denmark.
