Two goals by Neymar and one each by Fred and Fernandinho gave Brazil victory over Cameroon and clinched top spot in World Cup Group A.
It was ultimately a convincing display by the tournament hosts, but they know they will have to face far greater challenges than the one offered by Volker Finke's side.
Two goals by Neymar and one each by Fred and Fernandinho gave Brazil victory over Cameroon and clinched top spot in World Cup Group A.
It was ultimately a convincing display by the tournament hosts, but they know they will have to face far greater challenges than the one offered by Volker Finke's side.
Brazil made one change from the side that drew with Mexico last week for tonight’s match. Hulk started in place of Ramires in Luis Felipe Scolari’s side, with the South Americans knowing they had to win if they were to guarantee top spot.
Cameroon meanwhile knew they were going home after the match regardless of its outcome, following their defeats to Mexico and Croatia. Alex Song was suspended for the final game of their campaign.
The Africans’ defending was suspect from the off but they threatened to open the scoring after 10 minutes. Following a good move, Victor Aboubakar unleashed a dangerous looking shot, but it was blocked by the midriff of Marcelo.
In the 17th minute, however, the hosts predictably took the lead and it came from a familiar source. Luiz Gustavo won possession in a dangerous area and squared to Neymar, who finished coolly from inside the penalty area.
The goal seemed to relax Luis Felipe Scolari’s team. Neymar had a fizzing volley well saved by Charles Itandje, before Fred was unable to force home following some more good Brazilian work on the left.
Unthinkably, however, Cameroon were level soon afterwards. Thiago Silva headed a corner onto his own crossbar and out for another one, from which Allan Nyom crossed for Joel Matip to tap in. The Estadio Nacional was stunned into silence.
For a while, the Africans were in the ascendancy but, out of nothing, Brazil were back in front on 35 minutes.
Cameroon granted Neymar acres of space on the edge of their box and the lethal 22-year-old again made no mistake. He cut inside onto his right foot before firing past Itandje.
Hulk squandered a good chance to extend the lead on the stroke of half time.
Brazil had two chances to immediately increase their lead after the restart. First, Hulk was robbed of possession when through on goal before Fred’s drive from range was well saved by Itandje.
Two minutes later, however, it was three. David Luiz crossed in from the left and Fred was not to be denied. He nodded in and though the linesman did not flag, replays showed the forward was in an offside position when he found the net.
The one way traffic continued and, though Cameroon produced a better performance than their two dreadful previous showings, they never seriously threatened to stage a comeback.
Tension began to mount though as news filtered through to Brasilia that Mexico were banging in the goals against Croatia and threatening to steal top spot in the group. At one stage, only goals scored prevented that from being the case.
However, Fernandinho’s cool finish five minutes from time sealed first place for Brazil and set up a mouth-watering second round clash against South American rivals Chile.
Brazil 4 – 1 Cameroon
Neymar 17 & 35 (B), Matip 26 (C), Fred 49 (B), Fernandinho 84 (B)
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Luiz, Marcelo, Hulk (Ramires 73), Paulinho (Fernandinho 45), Fred, Neymar (Willian 71), Oscar, Luiz Gustavo
Cameroon: Itandje, Nkoulou, Nguemo, Moukandjo (Salli 58), Aboubakar (Webo 72), Bedimo, Choupo Moting (Makoun 81), Mbia, Enoh, Matip, Nyom
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)