Neymar reached another milestone for his country
Neymar completed a hat-trick for Brazil on Tuesday night, helping his side to a 4-2 win over Peru in a World Cup qualifier in Lima.
His first goal of the night came from the penalty spot and brought Brazil level after falling behind to an early Andre Carillo opener for the hosts. Though Peru took the lead for a second time shortly after the hour mark, Everton’s Richarlison scored the Seleção’s second equaliser within five minutes. Neymar tucked away another penalty late on to put them ahead for the first time with five minutes to play, then completed his hat-trick with a close-range tap-in in stoppage time.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward’s treble was enough for him to move into second on Brazil’s all-time list of scorers with 64. Pele is now the only man left ahead of him. Neymar has overtaken Ronaldo in second, and marked the occasion by paying homage to the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid striker with his choice of goal celebration.
As well as holding up nine fingers in a nod to the shirt number with which Ronaldo was synonymous…
… Neymar also marked the occasion with Fenômeno’s finger-wagging celebration.
Ronaldo scored 62 times for his country in 98 games, also forming part of two World Cup-winning squads – playing a starring role in 2002, where he scored the two goals in the final against Germany.
At 28 years of age, Neymar will have Pele’s tally of 77 goals firmly in his sights.
