Rampant Brazil cruise against China
© AFP
Neymar recorded a hat-trick to help Brazil thrash China 8-0 in an exhibition match in Recife.
Brazil had little difficulty establishing control over their beleaguered opponents and the five-time FIFA World Cup™ winners ran riot in the second half, scoring six goals. The talented Neymar was impressive as he bagged a treble while Ramires, Lucas, Hulk, an own goal from Liu Jianye and anOscar penalty completed the rout.
Brazil tried to attack from the flanks, especially through Neymar and Hulk, while Oscar was responsible of two assists for the two opening goals. In the 22nd minute, Ramires combined with Oscar and beat China keeper Cheng Zeng, while three minutes later Oscar assisted Neymar, who finished off a counter-attack.
They failed to add to their lead before half-time but needed just three minutes after the interval asHulk teed up Lucas to make it 3-0. In the 51st minute, Neymar's strike from outside the box then cannoned off the crossbar and into the path of Hulk, who gratefully slotted home.
It was 4-0 but more goals were about to come, as two minutes later, Marcelo crossed the ball from the left and Neymar was unmarked to score the fifth goal of the match. Another present from Oscar toNeymar allowed the Santos striker to complete his hat-trick in the 71st minute.
Liu then fired past his own keeper before Oscar completed the scoring from the spot after Yu Yang needlessly elbowed Marcelo inside the area. China had only one opportunity to find the net, with Yang's free-kick headed away by Sandro.
The last time Brazil scored eight goals was on 20 May 2006, when they defeated a local team in Lucerne, Switzerland, before the FIFA World Cup™ in Germany.