DOHA, Qatar (AP) 鈥 It was the same old Neymar out there, looking fit and scoring a goal to move closer to Pel茅鈥檚 all-time record and lead Brazil into the World Cup quarterfinals.
Neymar returned from injury and converted a first-half penalty in Brazil鈥檚 4-1 win over South Korea in the round of 16 on Monday. He reached 76 goals with the national team, one shy of the mark set by Pel茅, who said he would from his hospital bed in Sao Paulo.
The 82-year-old Pel茅 is recovering from a respiratory infection that was aggravated by COVID-19, leaving fans in Brazil and in Qatar worried about his condition. Neymar carried a banner with the soccer great鈥檚 image and 鈥淧el茅鈥 written on it after the match, and the entire team then posed behind it near midfield.
South Korea was trying to advance past the round of 16 for the first time since its historic run to the semifinals as a co-host in 2002.
Neymar damaged ligaments in his right ankle in the team鈥檚 opening match against Serbia and at the time there were doubts if he would play again at the World Cup. He was clearly back, and there were no signs of the injury as he led Brazil to a comfortable victory and a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals for the eighth straight time.
Brazil will next play Croatia on Friday.
Neymar scored his first goal of this year's World Cup after kissing the ball and calmly sending a low shot from the spot after waiting the goalkeeper to choose a side in the 13th minute. He danced as his teammates huddled around him, then did dance moves along with Vin铆cius Junior and other teammates before raising his arms to the sky and smiling broadly.
Neymar was forced out of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after getting hurt in the quarterfinals.
Fans chanted his name as he walked off the field after the match. He had been substituted in the 81st.
Vin铆cius J煤nior scored the first goal from inside the area after a cross by Raphinha in the seventh minute, Richarlison added to the lead from close range after a nice exchange of passes by the Brazilians in the 29th, and Lucas Paquet谩 scored the fourth before halftime after an assist by Vin铆cius J煤nior.
They celebrated each goal by dancing, and even Brazil coach Tite participated in Richarlison鈥檚 traditional 鈥減igeon鈥 celebration.
Paik Seung-ho scored South Korea鈥檚 goal in the 76th minute.
TRIBUTE TO PEL脡
There were many banners and shirts honoring Pel茅 at Stadium 974, and fans chanted the Brazil great鈥檚 name and opened a large banner with his image behind one of the goals in the 10th minute of each half. Pel茅 used to wear the No. 10 jersey.
STADIUM DISMANTLED
It was the last World Cup match at Stadium 974, which is expected to be fully dismantled. The port-side structure that seats more than 40,000 fans was partially built from recycled shipping containers and could be shipped to other countries that need the infrastructure.
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