Neymar’s face covered in blood

Barcelona superstar Neymar was left bloodied after an attempted nutmeg resulted in a stray forearm to the face during Brazil’s 5-0 World Cup qualifier win on Thursday.

Bolivia had not won a qualifier away from home for 23 years but Brazil were magnificent as they gave new coach Tite his third successive win since being named manager.

The five-time World Cup winners scored four of their goals in the opening 45 minutes with Neymar starring as he opened the scoring after only 10 minutes.

Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho added the second after good work from Dani Alves before former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis grabbed a third.

A future Premier League star made it four as Manchester City’s new signing Gabriel Jesus got on the end of Neymar’s deft chipped pass, reports the Independent.co.uk

And Coutinho’s Liverpool club teammate Roberto Firmino completed the scoring in the second half after being introduced to the action with 67 minutes gone.

Neymar was substituted late on after receiving a nasty-looking blow to the side of his head on Bolivia’s Yasmani Duk left him covered in blood.

The result keeps Brazil in second place in the 10-team South American qualifying group, one point behind leaders Uruguay, with nine games played already.