Neymar's two goals helps Brazil beat Cameroon, take 1st in Group A

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) - Neymar scored twice to help Brazil advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup on top of Group A with a 4-1 win over Cameroon. Fred and Fernandinho added second-half goals for Brazil, which will face South American rival Chile in the second round.

Watch: Neymar scores 2, takes Golden Boot lead, puts Brazil in final 16

Neymar netted twice in the first half, on either side of midfielder Joel Matip's goal for Cameroon in the 26th minute. He opened the scoring off a low cross by midfielder Luiz Gustavo in the 17th, deftly side-footing the ball home from close range, then restored the lead with a low right-foot strike from the top of the penalty area in the 35th after a pass by left back Marcelo.

Fred found the net in the 49th and the substitute Fernandinho struck in the 84th.

Playing in its 100th World Cup match, Brazil needed at least a draw to advance. Elimination in the group stage would have been unthinkable for the five-time world champions playing at home. The only team to play in all 20 World Cups, Brazil has advanced to the second round in every tournament since 1970.

Boosted by a crowd of nearly 69,112 at the Estadio Nacional in the nation's capital, Brazil began the match pressuring Cameroon and created many scoring chances early. But the African team eventually picked up the pace and was able to keep the hosts from threatening too much.

Despite playing without Samuel Eto'o because of a lingering right knee injury, Cameroon had a few good chances, even when the match was level in the first half. But it was Neymar who got on the board first, neatly finding the net after Gustavo stole the ball on the left flank and sent a low cross into the area.

Cameroon equalized after a nice run by Allan Nyom ended with Matip's goal, but Neymar again showed he is carrying the hopes of the entire nation, running toward the area and then moving to his right in front of a couple of defenders before firing a low shot into the net.

The 22-year-old Barcelona striker had already been decisive in the 3-1 opening win over Croatia, when he also scored twice while Brazil was struggling. Brazil improved in the second half and Fred, who had been loudly criticized for his lackluster performances, got his first goal of the tournament from close range after a cross by defender David Luiz from the left. Cameroon players complained of offside, but to no avail.

Fernandinho, who replaced Paulinho in the second half, closed the scoring after Oscar stole possession from a Cameroon defender near the area. Quick passes by Fred and Oscar set up the midfielder's toe poke from short range.

Cameroon, which hasn't advanced to the second round since becoming the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarterfinals in 1990, likely saw Eto'o playing in his final World Cup. The 33-year-old striker, in his fourth World Cup, is the team's all-time leading scorer.

Here is how Brazil wrapped up first place in Group A:

GALLERY: Scenes from Brazil's 3-1 win over Croatia

Brazil vs. Croatia

Brazil's Luiz Gustavo, right, is challenged by Croatia's Ivan Rakitic during Brazil's 3-1 victory over Croatia in the opening game of the 2014 tournament, in the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Brazil's Marcelo, right, scores an own goal to give Croatia a 1-0 lead.

Julio Cesar (left) and Marcelo of Brazil watch as a deflected shot goes in.

Nikica Jelavic and Ivan Perisic of Croatia celebrate as Julio Cesar, David Luiz and Marcelo of Brazil watch a deflected shot cross the goal line.

Ivan Perisic of Croatia celebrates the first half goal.

This would be Croatia's only goal of the game.

Nikica Jelavic of Croatia celebrates after a first half goal.

Croatia players (from left Ivica Olic, Nikica Jelavic and Ivan Rakitic celebrate.

Sime Vrsaljko of Croatia shows his joy along with teammates after the first goal was scored in the 2014 World Cup.

Marcelo of Brazil falls after a challenge by Ivan Perisic of Croatia.

Neymar controls the ball as Ivan Rakitic (left) and Nikica Jelavic of Croatia give chase.

Neymar shoots and scores against Dejan Lovren of Croatia in the first half.

Brazil's Neymar scores his side's first goal.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Stipe Pletikosa of Croatia dives and fails to make a save on a shot by Neymar.

Neymar celebrates with Dani Alves and Fred after a goal in the first half.

Croatia's Vedran Corluka, left, clashes with Brazil's Hulk.

Brazil's Thiago Silva, left, and Croatia's Ivica Olic battle for the ball.

Referee Yuichi Nishimura from Japan called a questionable foul against Brazil's Fred, which led to Brazil's second score.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Neymar scores his second goal, this one from the penalty spot.

Croatia's Ivan Perisic, left, wins a header from Brazil's Fred.

Oscar of Brazil fights off Sime Vrsaljko of Croatia in the first half.

Oscar of Brazil is tripped up by Sime Vrsaljko of Croatia in the second half.

Neymar takes a shot during the first half.

Julio Cesar of Brazil tries to make a save in the first half.

Brazil's Marcelo eyes the ball during the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Croatia.

Neymar and Vedran Corluka challenge for the ball.

A giant shirt "Castilho do Brasil Fan Club" is displayed during the opening game of the tournament.

Ivan Rakitic challenges Neymar.

Head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari of Brazil sits at the start of the opening game.

A general view at the start of the game.