Neymar equals Pele’s goalscoring record for Brazil with World Cup strike against Croatia

Neymar has joined Pele as the top all-time goalscorer for Brazil’s men’s team, netting his 77th strike for the Selecao while playing in their World Cup quarter-final loss to Croatia.

Pele, who has been suffering from ill health in recent weeks, scored 77 goals for Brazil across 92 official appearances. The former striker, 82, played his first game for the national team in 1957 and his last in 1971, winning three World Cups during that spell.

Meanwhile, 30-year-old Neymar was making his 124th appearance for Brazil when he scored in their Qatar World Cup quarter-final defeat by Croatia on Friday (9 December).

The winger finished off a slick move by rounding Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and slamming a shot high into the net in extra time to make it 1-0.

Croatia equalised through Bruno Petkovic late in extra time to send the quarter-final to penalties, where Croatia emerged victorious 4-2.

Marta is Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 115 goals in 171 appearances for the nation’s women’s team.