Five-time winners Brazil have re-ignited their campaign and have strengthened their chances of securing a place in the second round of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
It comes after a pair of stoppage time goals saw them coming away 2-0 winners over Costa Rica who now become the first team from Concacaf to be eliminated.
A Seleção controlled the game from start to finish, averaging two-thirds of possession while largely camped in the Costa Rican half. Chances were slim in the opening period, with the best falling to Celso Borges as the Costa Ricans threatened on the counter-attack.
Brazil got their eye in after the break, though, finally fashioning the clear-cut opportunities they had been threatening. While Gabriel Jesus rattled the bar, it took until the start of stoppage time for Coutinho to pounce on a loose ball before Neymar side-footed home with virtually the final kick of the game.
Neymar’s strike which was times at 96:49 is the latest recorded 90th minute goal in a world cup match since 1966.
Neymar with that strike also increased his tally to 56 to move ahead of1994 hero Romario as Brazil’s third all-time leading scorer on 56 goals.
Pele leads the way on 77 followed by Ronaldo on 62.
Brazil now lead Group E on 4 points – one ahead of Serbia who face Switzerland later on Friday.