FIFA World Cup 2018: Neymar scores as impressive Brazil beat feisty Austria

Brazil scored three superbly-taken goals to beat feisty Austria 3-0 in sweltering conditions on Sunday and put the finishing touches to their impressive World Cup preparation.

Gabriel Jesus, Neymar and Philippe Coutinho shared the goals for the five-times champions who showed great patience in the first half as they worked to break Austria down before turning on the style after the interval.

Neymar started a game for the first time since injuring his metatarsal in February, although he played in the second half of last week's win 2-0 over Croatia when he celebrated his return with a goal.

It was also the first time the quartet of Neymar, Jesus, Coutinho and Willian had started a game together.

Austria, unbeaten in their last eight games and winners over Germany one week ago, proved uncomfortable opponents and had nothing to lose in front of a capacity 48,500 crowd, having failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Neymar, substituted in the 83rd minute, was on the receiving end of some rough challenges and needed treatment after a tackle from behind from Aleksandar Dragovic who was booked.

With the temperature hot enough for water breaks, tempers frayed as Casemiro replied with a rough tackle of his own.

Marko Arnautovic gave Brazil a couple of early frights before the South Americans went ahead in the 36th minute, Jesus scoring with a delightful dinked effort from a difficult angle after Marcelo's shot rebounded to him. It was his 10th goal in 17 internationals.

Neymar's goal in the 63rd minute was even better as he collected the ball on the left of the area, performed a drag-back which left Aleksandar Dragovic on the floor and sent his shot between goalkeeper Heinz Lindner's legs.

That goal pulled him level with Romario's total of 55 international goals, making him Brazil's third joint top-scorer after Pele and Ronaldo.

Six minutes later, substitute Roberto Firmino set Coutinho clear down the left and he curled his shot wide of Lindner in for the third.

Brazil open their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on June 17 and also face Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E.