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Gabigol shines in Rio warm-up

Brazilian players Neymar (L) and Gabriel Barbosa celebrate after scoring during a friendly football match against Japan. File Photo: AFP

Teenage star Gabriel Barbosa scored a superb invidivual goal as Neymar returned to lead Brazil to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Japan in an Olympic warm-up game here Saturday.

The 19-year-old Santos striker, who has been linked to European clubs including Juventus, gave Brazil a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute after a mesmerising slalom through the Japan defence.

The shot by the forward known to fans as "Gabigol" took a big deflection on its way into the Japanese net but there was no denying the electrifying burst of skill which created the opener.

Barcelona superstar Neymar -- desperate to lead Brazil to victory in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics after the agony of the 2014 World Cup -- created Brazil's second from a corner, headed in by Marquinhos in the 41st minute.

Neymar and Gabriel formed a potent attacking trident alongside Gabriel Jesus, the 19-year-old Palmeiras attacker who is reportedly close to signing for English Premier League side Manchester City. 

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Gabigol shines in Rio warm-up

Brazilian players Neymar (L) and Gabriel Barbosa celebrate after scoring during a friendly football match against Japan. File Photo: AFP

Teenage star Gabriel Barbosa scored a superb invidivual goal as Neymar returned to lead Brazil to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Japan in an Olympic warm-up game here Saturday.

The 19-year-old Santos striker, who has been linked to European clubs including Juventus, gave Brazil a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute after a mesmerising slalom through the Japan defence.

The shot by the forward known to fans as "Gabigol" took a big deflection on its way into the Japanese net but there was no denying the electrifying burst of skill which created the opener.

Barcelona superstar Neymar -- desperate to lead Brazil to victory in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics after the agony of the 2014 World Cup -- created Brazil's second from a corner, headed in by Marquinhos in the 41st minute.

Neymar and Gabriel formed a potent attacking trident alongside Gabriel Jesus, the 19-year-old Palmeiras attacker who is reportedly close to signing for English Premier League side Manchester City. 

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