Neymar, Jesus, Coutinho lead Brazil to 3-0 win over Austria in friendly

Neymar on Sunday started and led Brazil to a 3-0 win over Austria in the Seleçao's final pre-World Cup friendly.

During the final test ahead of the tournament, which kicks off in Russia on June 14, Brazilian national team coach Tite relied on two defensive midfielders, Barcelona's Paulinho and Real Madrid's Casemiro, with Philippe Coutinho as playmaker.

The Brazilian national team exerted its main pressure on the left side, as the duo of Neymar and Coutinho proved once again to be the key to the team's playmaking.

Eight minutes into the game, Casemiro threatened goaltender Heinz Lindner by firing a powerful shot that went just slightly wide shortly before Neymar unsuccessfully tried his luck with a shot from long range.

The hosts, however, reacted with David Alaba several times moving the ball in behind the Brazilian defense, which clearly displayed some weaknesses.

Posing a danger for the first time, Austria's Alessandro Schopf collected a rebound ball but then sent it off target, while Marko Arnautovic fired high minutes later.

After a few good minutes for Austria, Brazil made an effort to seize full control of the game during the last third of the first half.

Thiago Silva squandered a golden scoring chance with a header on a Neymar corner.

And finally, Brazil got onto the scoreboard as Gabriel Jesus collected a rebound ball, sending it home in the 36th minute.

After the intermission, Brazil's momentum continued as it took advantage of the physical ebb experienced by the Austrians.

The European squad, which had won its previous seven matches, seemed to take the game too seriously for a friendly.

Brazil managed to create for itself the space in which it thrives and doubled the score as Willian assisted Neymar, who dribbled past a defender before putting the ball between Lindner's legs.

Six minutes later, Coutinho took advantage of the space he was offered during a left side counterattack to run with the ball, firing his team's third goal.