Neymar scores stunning goal for Brazil on return from injury

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - After months on the sidelines through injury, Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr. marked his return to the pitch with a goal in Brazil's 2-0 win over Croatia in a World Cup friendly match.

Having entered the game at half-time with the scores level at 0-0, the Paris Saint Germain forward scored a stunning goal, beating three Croatian players before striking the ball emphatically into the back of the net.

Neymar broke his foot back in February during PSG's 3-0 defeat to rivals Marseille in the French league and had not played football since.

English Premier League side Liverpool's stomping ground at Anfield was the venue for a match that produced flashes of what fans can expect from the five-time winners in Moscow.

Much to the delight of the home crowd, Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino added a second goal late on to give Brazil a comfortable win ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

In a group with Switzerland, Serbia, and Costa Rica, Brazil will be confident of their chances of advancing into the knockout stages of the tournament. Brazil will play their first match on June 17 against Switzerland.

Croatia, meanwhile, faces a tough task with the likes of Argentina, Nigeria, and Iceland in their group. Croatia will play their first match on June 16 against the Super Eagles from Africa.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place between June 14 and July 15 with 32 teams from five different confederations competing.

As the host nation, Russia received automatic qualification to this summer's tournament.

A bidding nation requires a majority of 12 votes to host the tournament. Russia notably beat the likes of Portugal, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and England in the bidding process to host the 2018 tournament, winning 13 votes.

Russia will play the first match of the tournament against Saudi Arabia on June 14 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.