Football: Neymar hat-trick helps Brazil to 4-2 win over Peru

Brazil's Neymar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier against Peru on Oct 13, 2020. PHOTO: AFP

LIMA (REUTERS) - A hat-trick from Neymar helped Brazil to a 4-2 victory over Peru in a 2022 World Cup qualifier in Lima on Tuesday (Oct 13) and moved the Paris Saint-Germain forward second behind Pele on his country's all-time goal-scoring list.

Peru's Andre Carrillo got his third goal in two games to put the home side ahead after six minutes with a crisp volley from outside the box but Neymar equalised from the spot in 28 minutes after he had been fouled.

Peru, who have never beaten Brazil in a World Cup qualifier, went ahead again after 59 minutes when Renato Tapia's 25 metre-shot hit Rodrigo Caio before rolling into the net, only for Richarlison to equalise five minutes later.

Neymar put Brazil ahead with another penalty with seven minutes left and, after Peru's Carlos Zambrano was sent off, scored his 64th international goal when he stabbed home in injury time to make it 4-2.

Only Pele, with 77 goals, has scored more goals for Brazil than Neymar.

Brazil top the South American qualifying group with six points from two games.

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