FOOTBALL NEWS FROM World Cup 2014
Neymar leads Brazil to win
Barcelona forward Neymar scored one goal and set up another as Brazil maintained their fine form with a convincing friendly victory over Portugal in Boston on Tuesday.
Raul Meireles capitalised on a defensive error to put Portugal ahead in the 17th minute, but Thiago Silva headed an equaliser six minutes later and Neymar edged the Selecao ahead 10 minutes before the break.
Brazil, on the back of last weekend's 6-0 triumph over Australia, sealed matters just shy of the hour mark through Atletico Mineiro striker Jo.
It did not all look to be going the way of the 2014 World Cup hosts when Meireles opened the scoring, intercepting Maicon's header back to goalkeeper Julio Cesar and slotting home.
Meireles had served warning to Brazil six minutes earlier with a header that hit the post.
However, Portugal's celebration lasted only six minutes, as Thiago Silva nodded home Neymar's corner to level matters.
Brazil remained on the front foot and took the lead in the 35th minute when Neymar escaped the attentions of two defenders, advanced into the penalty area and beat Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio with a right-footed shot to the far post.
Fourteen minutes after the interval, Jo converted Maxwell's cross from the left to make it 3-1 - his third goal in two games following last weekend's brace in Brasilia.
Neymar told Globoesporte.com: "A Brazil against Portugal match was a big show. We played very good football and won."
Julio Cesar was relieved the early defensive mix-up did not prove decisive, saying: "I was disappointed for not getting that ball, but we try to take away the positive things - the team's form."
Brazil face further friendlies against South Korea in Seoul on October 12 and against Zambia in Beijing three days later.
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Barcelona forward Neymar scored one goal and set up another as Brazil maintained their fine form with a convincing friendly victory over Portugal in Boston on Tuesday.Raul Meireles capitalised on a defensive error to put Portugal ahead in the 17th minute, but Thiago Silva headed an equaliser six minutes later and Neymar edged the Selecao ahead 10 minutes before the break.
Brazil, on the back of last weekend's 6-0 triumph over Australia, sealed matters just shy of the hour mark through Atletico Mineiro striker Jo.
It did not all look to be going the way of the 2014 World Cup hosts when Meireles opened the scoring, intercepting Maicon's header back to goalkeeper Julio Cesar and slotting home.
Meireles had served warning to Brazil six minutes earlier with a header that hit the post.
However, Portugal's celebration lasted only six minutes, as Thiago Silva nodded home Neymar's corner to level matters.
Brazil remained on the front foot and took the lead in the 35th minute when Neymar escaped the attentions of two defenders, advanced into the penalty area and beat Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio with a right-footed shot to the far post.
Fourteen minutes after the interval, Jo converted Maxwell's cross from the left to make it 3-1 - his third goal in two games following last weekend's brace in Brasilia.
Neymar told Globoesporte.com: "A Brazil against Portugal match was a big show. We played very good football and won."
Julio Cesar was relieved the early defensive mix-up did not prove decisive, saying: "I was disappointed for not getting that ball, but we try to take away the positive things - the team's form."
Brazil face further friendlies against South Korea in Seoul on October 12 and against Zambia in Beijing three days later.