Brazil's Neymar controls a pass during the Group A World Cup match against Cameroon yesterday. - AP

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP):

Neymar lived up to the weighty expectations of the World Cup host nation yesterday, setting Brazil on course to clinch their place in the knockout stage with two precision first-half goals in a 4-1 rout of Cameroon.

Fred and Fernandinho added second-half goals to ensure top spot in Group A for Brazil, who will face South American rival Chile in the second round.

More important than the widely expected victory, though, was a performance that restored the confidence of fans after two disappointing matches.

"It was our best match," Neymar said. "Not only because of the result, but also because of how we played. We pressured our opponent just like we wanted. We deserved this result - everyone in the team deserves credit for what we did today."

Neymar scored 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.

"I have the responsibility to go out there and help my teammates," Neymar said. "We all did well today and got the result that we needed."

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

Brazil finished Group A with seven points after a 0-0 draw with Mexico and two wins. They ended with the same points as Mexico, but had a better goal difference. The Mexicans eliminated Croatia with a 3-1 win in Recife.

Brazil's Neymar keeping the ball away from Cameroon's Nicolas N'Koulou during the Group A World Cup match between Cameroon and Brazil at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, yesterday. - AP