Scolari hails Neymar as the Messi of Brazil

Neymar celebrates after scoring against Cameroon.

Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari admits Neymar is as important to his team as Messi is for Argentina.

The 22-year-old forward netted a brace in a 4-1 thumping of an already knocked-out Cameroon and subsequently took his goal tally of this World Cup campaign to 4.

Just 17 minutes into the game, Neymar tapped home a low cross from Luis Gustavo to put the hosts ahead and added another mid-way through the first half.

In a post-match conference, Scolari just couldn’t stop singing praises of the Brazil talisman.

"Brazil depends on Neymar just like Argentina depends on Messi. They are different and can make a difference to their respective teams."

"Neymar is a point of reference to Brazil just like Messi is for Argentina", he added.Victory means Brazil sit at the top of group A and now face their resilient fellow South Americans, Chile who finished 2nd in group B."Many thought that Chile wouldn't make it out of the group, but I am not surprised. They have a lot of quality. If I had to choose an opponent, I would have chosen someone else. I would not prefer to meet Chile".

Chile failed to make it to the top of group B as they lost their last group game to Netherlands and had to settle for the second spot. "It is always difficult to play South American opposition. Chile have a lot of individual quality and are very well organised.", said the Selecao manager.

The host’s Round of 16 clash with Chile is scheduled to take place on June 28 in Belo Horizonte.