Brazil left nothing of Peru last night. After the team of national coach Tite won the first group match in the Copa América 3-0 against Venezuela, this time it was too strong for Peru 4-0. Neymar was one of the goalscorers at the Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos in Rio de Janeiro. The Paris Saint-Germain attacker scored his 68th goal on behalf of Brazil, taking him one step closer to Pele’s record (77). It led to an emotional interview afterwards, in which Neymar could not hold back his tears.
Brazil was a size too big for Peru, which really had nothing to contribute. The home side took the lead after twelve minutes. The opening goal was the result of a nice attack from the left flank. The ball ended up at the far post, where Gabriel Jesus kept the overview and Alex Sandro served: 1-0. Although Brazil was the parent, it took until the 68th minute for the 2-0 to reach the scoreboard. From the counter, the ball went to Neymar, who freed himself on the edge of the penalty area and scored from the turn in the far corner.
In the final phase, the substitutes made their mark. Impotent Peru was unable to squeeze out a final offensive and was forced backwards. In the 89th minute, Neymar freed substitute Richarlison on the left wing, who in turn gave Everton Ribeiro, another substitute, 3-0. In the six minutes of stoppage time, the margin was brought to four by Richarlison. Neymar was at the basis of this goal with a brilliant cross ball at Roberto Firmino. Firmino failed to score, but Richarlison did from the rebound.
Neymar, the star on the side of the pitch, was moved to tears in an emotional interview afterwards. He was visibly touched by the goal that brought him one step closer to the title of Brazil’s all-time top scorer. “I never thought I would achieve these numbers on behalf of the Seleco. This means an awful lot to me. I’ve had two tough years,” he said about his injuries, among other things, with which he had to miss the previous Copa América tournament in 2019. “These figures are the result of the fact that I love playing for Brazil to represent my country and my family. It makes me happy that I can be an example and make people happy. I want my family and friends to be proud,” said an emotional Neymar.
Neymar’s words provoked a reaction from Pelé, now the Brazil’s all-time top scorer. “Every time I see this boy, he smiles. It’s impossible not to smile back. It is contagious. Like any Brazilian, I’m always happy to see him play. Tonight he came one step closer to my record for the Seleco. I think it’s great that he has that record in sight,” Pelé said on Instagram. Next Thursday night (2:00 a.m. Dutch time), Brazil will be back in action. In Rio de Janeiro, Colombia, the number two in the group, is the opponent.