Japan vs. Brazil: Score, Grades and Reaction from International Friendly

Japan 0-4 Brazil

Neymar struck four times in a 4-0 rout of Japan to become Brazil's fifth-highest goalscorer of all time.

The Barcelona star was on target in the 18th minute as the Selecao took a single-goal advantage into the interval. He grabbed another goal three minutes into the second period, before equalling Bebeto's tally of 39 with his hat-trick strike in the 77th minute. Four minutes later, the Brazil youngster claimed fifth place in Brazil's all-time scoring list to himself with the fourth.

Brazil head coach Dunga made one change to the team which beat Argentina, with Gil replacing David Luiz, who has a thigh injury, in defence. Keisuke Honda was among those Japan players dropped to the bench for the host nation, while Shinji Kagawa was ruled out through injury.

Neymar proved to be the most threatening Brazil player in the opening stages with some great movement and quick feet, and his appeals for an 11th-minute penalty were dismissed by the referee after a block on the Barcelona man by Masato Morishige.

In the 18th minute, Neymar opened the scoring for Brazil. After previously clipping the post with a free-kick, the he collected a clever through ball from Diego Tardelli, worked his way around the goalkeeper and slotted home.

Neymar almost added a second immediately after the goal, but his shot went just wide from an acute angle following a great pass by Luiz Gustavo.

In the 24th minute, Japan were almost level. Kosuke Ota's cross was only half-cleared by Gil, and the ball dropped invitingly for Daigo Kobayashi, whose volley flew just over. Japan then went close 11 minutes later when Shinji Okazaki sent his near-post header just wide of Jefferson's goal.

Two minutes before the interval, Neymar was on course to add a second to his and Brazil's tally, but a superb tackle from Gotoku Sakai denied the forward as he closed in on goal.

Japan introduced AC Milan midfielder Honda for the second half, while Oscar was replaced by Philippe Coutinho, among three Brazil substitutes. The Liverpool man made an instant impact on the game when his 48th-minute pass to Neymar allowed the Brazil forward to add another to his international tally.

Japan needed to regain a hold on the game swiftly, and Jefferson had to be alert to cut out the danger from a tricky Kobayashi cross into the area. At the other end, Eiji Kawashima produced a superb save to deny Atletico Madrid defender Miranda, who had taken advantage of a poor Honda clearance to find space for himself.

Okazaki then found space between Filipe Luis and Miranda, and he rattled the Brazil post with a fine strike which had Jefferson beaten. In the 59th minute, Neymar missed a great chance for his hat-trick when he walloped the ball into the side-netting after Everton Ribeiro's clever play to set up the opportunity.

Dunga brought on Robinho for Tardelli in the 65th minute, and the substitute missed the target with his first chance on goal after being set up by Neymar. Kaka had been on the field for less than a minute as a sub for Brazil when he struck the crossbar, but it was Neymar who was celebrating moments later.

Coutinho tried his luck from 20 yards, but his effort was blocked and fell to the feet of the Barcelona star, who rolled home his third of the game to move level with Bebeto as Brazil's fifth-highest goalscorer.

Four minutes later, Neymar earned fifth place in his country's rankings all to himself. After Kaka and Robinho combined, the New York City FC new boy sent a cross to the far post for the forward to score his fourth.

Selected Player atings

Neymar: A+

Ran the show for Brazil in the first period and fully deserved his four-goal haul for Dunga's team. Further underlined his importance to Brazil throughout the game.

Diego Tardelli: A-

Superb through ball for Neymar's opener in a game in which his vision and passing were to the fore more than his striking ability.

Oscar: B

A relatively quiet first 45 minutes for the Chelsea star, but always looking for an opportunity to create before being replaced ahead of the second half.

What's Ahead

Brazil will be on European soil next month when they line up against Turkey on Nov. 12 before facing Austria six days later.

Japan play host to Honduras on Nov. 14 before entertaining Australia four days later.

Post-Match Reaction

"

Neymar becomes the first player to score 4+ goals in a single match for BRA since Romario against VEN in 2000 #fcblive [via @infostradalive]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) October 14, 2014"