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Neymar double helps Brazil through to face Chile
Reuters
Last Updated IST
Neymar fights for the ball with Cameroon's goalkeeper Charles Itandje during the 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match between Cameroon and Brazil at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia June 23, 2014. Reuters photo
Neymar fights for the ball with Cameroon's goalkeeper Charles Itandje during the 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match between Cameroon and Brazil at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia June 23, 2014. Reuters photo

Red-hot striker Neymar helped fire Brazil into a World Cup second-round meeting with Chile when he scored twice in the first half as the hosts survived an early scare against already-eliminated Cameroon to win 4-1 and top Group A on Monday

Brazil's leading striker tucked in the first after 17 minutes from a Luiz Gustavo cross - the 100th goal of the tournament in Brazil's 100th World Cup match - but the delirious home crowd were silenced nine minutes later when Joel Matip equalised moments after he had hit the bar with a header.

Neymar cut inside to fire in his second, and fourth of the this World Cup, in the 35th minute and Brazil cruised home with a Fred header four minutes into the second half and a goal for substitute Fernandinho six minutes from time.

The hosts and favourites finish with seven points and will face Group B runners-up Chile in Belo Horizonte on Saturday. Mexico came second after a 3-1 win over Croatia and will play Netherlands. Cameroon were last after losing all three games.

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(Published 24 June 2014, 03:47 IST)