Brazil beats Cameroon 4-1, reaches 2nd round
Brazil's Neymar, second left, celebrates scoring the opening goal during the group A World Cup soccer match between Cameroon and Brazil at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
Brazil's Neymar runs past Cameroon's goalkeeper Charles Itandje after scoring his side's first goal during the group A World Cup soccer match between Cameroon and Brazil at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Brazil's Neymar runs past Cameroon's Joel Matip after scoring his side's first goal during the group A World Cup soccer match between Cameroon and Brazil at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Brazil's Neymar kicks the ball past Cameroon's Joel Matip to score his side's first goal during the group A World Cup soccer match between Cameroon and Brazil at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Brazil's Neymar celebrates scoring the opening goal during the group A World Cup soccer match between Cameroon and Brazil at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
BRASILIA, Brazil — Neymar scored twice in the first half to lead Brazil to a 4-1 win over Cameroon on Monday, helping the hosts secure a spot in the second round of the World Cup.
Fred and Fernandinho added second-half goals for Brazil, which advanced from Group A.
Neymar opened the scoring off a low cross by midfielder Luiz Gustavo in the 17th minute, 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.
Midfielder Joel Matip had equalized for already eliminated Cameroon with a tap-in from inside the area in the 26th.
Fred found the net in the 49th and the substitute Fernandinho struck in the 84th.
