Paris Saint Germain (PSG) star Neymar is closing in on the scoring record for five-time World Cup winners Brazil after his two-goal performance during the friendly win over hosts South Korea on Thursday. Neymar scored twice with a goal in each half as Brazil thrash their Asian opponents 5-1 to extend their unbeaten run.
Neymar came into the friendly match withSouth Korea on 71 goals and six goals behind all-time leading goalscorer Pele. Brazilian football icon Pele scored 77 goals in 92 games for his country over a 14-year period as he won three World Cup titles. Neymar scored the second Brazil goal from the penalty spot in the first half after Bordeaux forward Hwang Ui-Jo cancelled out the opening goal from Everton star Richarlison.
The goal from Neymar gave Brazil a slender lead at the half-time break. Neymar added a third goal for the Brazilians from the spot again in the second half before substitutes Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus wrapped up the convincing win for the South Americans. Brazil are now unbeaten in 12 games after the big win over the South Koreans. Their last defeat came in the Copa America final on home soil last summer. Angel Di Maria scored the only goal of the game to give Argentina a 1-0 win in the abovementioned Copa America final to make it a first trophy for the two-time world champions in 28 years. The Brazilians can make it 13 games without defeat when they take on hosts Japan at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Monday.
Neymar scored a brace to take his tally to 73 goals in 118 games for Brazil on the international stage. He can move closer to the record from Pele during the South Korea game later this week. Five days after the South Korea game, Brazil will take on arch rivals Argentina in an international friendly with Neymar getting the chance to add to his tally of goals for the Selecao.