Brazilian Serie A wrap: Neymar exhibition lifts Santos, Flu fly

Neymar scored all four goals as Santos defeated Atletico Paranaense 4-1 in Brazil’s Serie A on Saturday, while Fluminense also won.

Brazil international Neymar has been the subject of interest from Europe’s heavyweight clubs for much of the last two seasons.

And the exciting forward is likely to have increased his value further after single-handedly taking Paranaense apart at Estadio Municipal Paulo Machado de Carvalho.

Neymar opened the scoring with a penalty two minutes into the match, and Santos held that lead going into the half-time break.

Paulo Baier levelled for the visitors on 51 minutes, but it took just three minutes for Neymar to restore Santos’ lead, with his second goal also coming from the penalty spot.

And he netted again two minutes later, making it 3-1 to hosts.

The 19-year-old wrapped up the scoring with his and Santos’ fourth goal in the 70th minute.

The comfortable win lifts Muricy Ramalho’s side up to ninth in the table, with a disappointing league position the legacy of their poor start to the season.

Paranaense meanwhile are down in 18th, inside the relegation zone and two points away from safety.

Elsewhere, Fluminense came from behind to win 2-1 away to Ceara.

Felipe Azevedo had put the struggling hosts ahead seven minutes into the match, but a Rafael Sobis brace, with a goal in either half, ensured Flu would come away with all three points.

Victory sees Fluminense climb to fourth, two points behind Botafogo, who defeated Cruzeiro 1-0.

Sebastian Abreu scored the only goal of the game in the 54th minute at Estadio Olimpico Joao Havelange.

Botafogo are level on points with second-placed Corinthians and two points back from leaders Vasco da Gama.

The top two can pull clear when they are both in action on Sunday, as Corinthians host Avai and Vasco await the visit of Sao Paulo.