AFP / Carl De Souza
Brazil lived as much as expectations by smashing Bolivia 5-1 at dwelling of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers opener on Friday, with Neymar surpassing the late nice Pele because the nation’s high scorer.
The 31-year-old Neymar, who just lately joined Saudi facet Al-Hilal, bounced again after lacking a penalty within the first half, scoring two objectives within the 61st and 93rd minutes to grow to be the nation’s all-time high scorer with 79 objectives.
“Congratulations, Neymar, for surpassing the King in goals for Brazil. Surely Pele is applauding you today!” was written on Pele’s official account on social media platform X, previously generally known as Twitter.
Real Madrid’s Rodrygo additionally shone with a double, opening the scoring within the twenty fourth minute and bagging his second within the 52nd off an excellent via ball from Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes for 3-0.
“It really is a very special day…Neymar is my idol, being able to help him become the top scorer will stay with me forever,” the 22-year-old Rodrygo advised Brazilian broadcaster TV Globo.
Raphinha, who changed Antony within the Brazilian squad, scored to make it 2-0 within the opening seconds of the second half with a shot on the far submit after choosing up Neymar’s go within the fringe of the field.
Bolivia received their comfort aim via Victor Abrego’s highly effective shot within the 78th minute.
Brazil will look to proceed their good kind once they go to Peru on Tuesday within the second spherical of CONMEBOL qualifiers.
Elsewhere, Uruguay began their qualifying marketing campaign on the suitable foot by beating Chile 3-1 at dwelling at hand former Leeds United coach Marcelo Bielsa his first official win.
