Neymar has surpassed Pele as Brazil’s all-time top scorer after bagging a brace in their 5-1 victory over Bolivia.

The 31-year-old striker went into the game tied with Pele on 77 goals. When Brazil was given a penalty in the 17th minute, he had a great chance to break the record.

But he looked upset when Bolivia’s goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra easily saved his easy penalty kick to keep the game scoreless.

Seven minutes later, Rodrygo scored for Brazil after Viscarra blocked Raphinha’s shot. This gave Brazil the lead.

Just after halftime, Raphinha cut in from the left, and his low shot took a slight deflection as it went into the bottom corner to give Brazil a 2-0 lead.

Neymar helped set up Brazil’s third goal by chipping a pass that Bruno Guimaraes flicked on to Rodrygo, who confidently drilled it home.

Then it was Neymar’s time to go down in history. He jumped on a loose ball inside the box and scored his 78th goal in his 125th game for his country while raising his hands and looking to the sky.

Victor Abrego scored a goal for Bolivia. He pushed through a disorganised Brazil defence and fired a shot that Ederson couldn’t stop.

But there was still time for Neymar to break the record. In stoppage time, he scored on a low pass from Raphinha to seal the win and make it a night to remember for the forward.

The former Barcelona striker, who is 31 years old, just moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.

Pele died in December at the age of 82. Between 1957 and 1971, he played 92 games for Brazil and scored 77 goals.

The win was a great start for the Selecao’s new coach Fernando Diniz, who took over from Tite after the team lost in the quarterfinals of the World Cup last year.

Diniz praised Neymar, whose role on the team has been called into question.

“Many did not know what he would come to do, and he came to do what he did: have fun, score two goals and break the record,” he said.

“He is a very big idol, people must recognize him and accept him,” he added.