Host country Brazil beat Cameroon 4-1 to march into the last 16 of the World Cup and their striker Neymar took top place in the goalscorers’ rankings.
This morning’s victory secured the World Cup favourites top place in Group A, with a better goal difference than Mexico, and in theory an easier tie against Chile in the second round.
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will be more reassured by the free flowing display by a team who appeared uncertain in beating Croatia 3-1 and fragile in their goalless draw with Mexico.
Neymar’s first goal in the 17th minute was the 100th goal of the high-scoring tournament in Brazil’s 100th match in World Cup finals. Luiz Gustavo crossed from the left and Neymar sidefooted it into the net.
Moments later, Neymar cannoned a shot that Cameroon goalkeeper Charles Itandje could barely parry away.
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Cameroon then pulled level through Joel Matip, who briefly exposed Brazil’s defensive frailty.
But Brazil’s number 10 scored a second before half-time, picking up the ball on edge of the penalty area and shooting through the legs of defender Nicolas Nkoulou.
His fourth goal of the tournament put him atop the scorers’ rankings.
Fred headed the third goal in the 49th minute from a David Luiz cross and Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho strolled through the Cameroon defence in the 84th minute to shoot the killer goal.
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Cameroon finished in bottom place in Group A with three straight defeats.
Mexico have punched their ticket to the last 16 of the World Cup with a 3-1 win over Group A rivals Croatia in Recife that sent the Europeans out of the competition.
Mexico captain Rafael Marquez, appearing at his fourth finals, opened the scoring after 72 minutes at the Arena Pernambuco before Andres Guardado and Javier Hernandez added further goals to cement a place in the knockout phase.
They will play the Netherlands in the next round.
Mexico needed just a point to assure their progression and midfielder Hector Herrera was desperately unlucky to see 25-yard strike cannon back off the crossbar midway through the first half.
Mexico also had a penalty appeal for a handball against Darijo Srna turned down in the second half. But Croatia were eventually undone as Marquez headed home a corner from Herrera.
Mexico doubled their lead on 75 minutes as Guardado steered a ball home after he was picked out in the box by Oribe Peralta.
Substitute Hernandez then ghosted in unmarked to nod in a header at the far post as Miguel Herrera’s men picked apart a ravaged Croatia defence at will.
Croatia did pull one back through Ivan Perisic three minutes from time while substitute Ante Rebic was sent off in the dying stages for a wild lunge on Carlos Pena.
Mexico finished second in Group A. They will face the Dutch, winners of Group B, for a place in the quarter-finals.
