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Neymar double helps Brazil through to face Chile

June 24, 2014 03:40 IST

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 equalized 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 favorites finish with seven points and will face Group B runners-up Chile in Below 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.

Image: Neymar

Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images