World Cup: Neymar feels Brazil's win over Cameroon was their best performance
Tuesday 24 June 2014 08:51, UK
Brazil ace Neymar felt the hosts produced their best performance of the World Cup to beat Cameroon 4-1 to book their place in the last 16.
Neymar was the star of the show in Brasilia on Monday night as he grabbed a brace to take his tally to four goals in the tournament and inspire Brazil to victory.
The win ensures Brazil will take on Chile in the last 16 in Belo Horizonte on Saturday, and Neymar believes the result and performance against Cameroon will set them up perfectly to take on their South American rivals in the knockout stages.
"If I am not mistaken, this was our best game, everyone deserves to be praised for working hard until the end I think," Neymar told Sportv.
"The responsibility I have on the pitch is to help my team-mates, create chances and help marking too, everyone has this mission.
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"Nobody is more important than anyone - everyone is important
"We deserved this score and we are more confident to face Chile."
Fred, who eased the growing pressure on him to lose his place in the starting XI with his first goal of the tournament, thanked his team-mates for supporting him after coming in for criticism for his performances in the opening two games against Croatia and Mexico.
"Thank God this goal finally happened," noted Fred. "I was being criticised very heavily and I tried to keep calm.
"The squad were wonderful with me, I have to thank everybody."
"As amazing as it sounds, the ball hit my moustache - it was a moustache goal."
Fernandinho, who came off the bench to score Brazil's fourth goal, was happy with his contribution and believes he has boosted his chances of starting against Chile.
"I was feeling confident, doing my job, I waited for my chance, I had my chance now and I did well.
"I think I have a 50 per cent chance of starting against Chile. Now it's up to (Luiz Felipe) Scolari."
Scolari said: "We're feeling really good. Brazil has treated us more kindly than even we expected.
"We improved again today from the game against Mexico. We can still get better, and we know that Chile are a very good team."
The Brazil coach admitted there were some worrying moments in the first half in Brasilia.
"We were too nervous after they scored," added Scolari. "We need to be calmer, to relax and go after the game.
"Chile have a lot of quality. If I could choose, I would choose another opponent. South American teams are always tough."
When asked if the team was too dependant on Neymar, he replied: "He's always involved. Argentina depend on Messi and other national teams depend on their stars... some players just make the difference."
Scolari also made sure he reserved special praise for Luiz Gustavo, who set up the opening goal and was highly effective in central midfield: "He is one of our most important players, but no one notices him."