Barcelona forward Neymar fires Brazil past Colombia to equal Zico goal tally

Neymar’s second-half goal gave Brazil a 2-1 victory over Colombia in 2018 World Cup qualifying on Tuesday, taking him level with the Brazilian legend on 48 international goals in just 72 internationals.

Neymar, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning goal against Colombia. Andre Penner / AP Photo
Powered by automated translation

Neymar’s second-half goal gave Brazil a 2-1 victory over Colombia on Tuesday as the five-time world champions registered their second consecutive win to take second place in the South American qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The home side got the perfect start when Miranda rose after just 80 seconds to head home a corner and score his first goal in 33 appearances for the national side.

Brazil, playing just their second game under new manager Tite, dominated the first half with a high-pace pressing game but struggled to make clear cut chances and paid the price after 35 minutes when Colombia equalised against the run of play.

More international football:

• Andy Mitten on Spain: Silva and Costa offer optimism

• 2018 World Cup: UAE's campaign hits dent, but dream not over

• World Cup changes: 40-team World Cup? Co-hosting nations?

Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez floated in a free kick from 35 yards out and Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos headed the ball into his own net.

Neymar took a pass just inside the box with 73 minutes gone and his angled drive was well placed into the far corner to beat Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina.

It was the Barcelona forward’s 48th goal in 72 international games, equalling Zico on Brazil’s all-time goalscoring list.

The result in the humid heat of Manaus marked the first time that Brazil have won two consecutive games in what has until now been a stuttering qualifying campaign.

“We’ve been very consistent the last two games,” goalkeeper Allison said. “We’ve become tougher and we deserve congratulations for taking the lead again after the pegged us back. We reacted well.”

The result lifts Brazil to 15 points, ahead of Argentina, who came from behind to draw 2-2 against bottom-placed team Venezuela, on goal difference.

Colombia sit two points behind them in fourth place in the 10-team South American group.

Uruguay, who beat Paraguay 4-0 earlier in the evening, top the table with 16 points.

Ecuador remain in fifth after going down 2-1 to Peru in Lima.

A penalty from Christian Cueva for the home side after 20 minutes was cancelled out by Gabriel Achilier 10 minutes later but Renato Tapia got his first international goal 12 minutes from time to give Peru only their second win in eight games.

Chile could only draw 0-0 with Bolivia and sit in seventh place in the 10-team table.

The top four qualify automatically for Russia 2018 and the fifth place side goes into an intercontinental play off with a team from Oceania.

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport