Doha: Neymar equaled Pele’s record of 77 goals for Brazil on Friday when he scored a stunning strike against Croatia in the World Cup quarter-finals but his side were eliminated on penalties.

The forward fired home from close range in added time to put Brazil ahead and equal Pele’s goalscoring record between 1957 and 1971.

Neymar beat Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Leukoc and converted from a tight angle in stoppage time in the first extra time.

However, Bruno Petkovic scored in the 117th minute and Croatia won the shootout 4-2.Pele, who was recently hospitalized while undergoing treatment for stomach cancer, is the only player in history to have won three World Cups.

The 82-year-old won with the Seleção in 1958, 1962 and 1970 and said earlier this week he was watching his country play in Qatar from hospital.

Five-time champions Brazil last won the World Cup in 2002, eight years before Neymar’s international debut.

The 30-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward has shot to stardom in his home country but has faced disappointment on the biggest stage.
He scored a penalty against South Korea in the last 16 on his return from injury, having been eliminated from the previous two matches in Qatar.