No-Look Back Heel Assist From Neymar is a Reminder the World Cup Starts Soon

Panama came within a fluke bicycle kick by Mexico and a stoppage-time goal by Graham Zusi from potentially playing in its first World Cup finals this month in Brazil. Instead, fate ensured Panama end up playing in Brazil … except in a pre-World Cup friendly against the hosts. There Panama was subjected to the Neymar show, as the 22-year-old scored a goal and set up two others — including a back heel pass that hit Hulk in stride to make it 3-0 in an eventual 4-0 victory.

Yes, you can easily quibble that this was only a friendly and only against Panama, but given his history let’s expect Neymar to try some outrageous stuff like this, at least in the group stage. Brazil takes on Croatia next Thursday in the curtain-raiser for the 2014 tournament. For Croatia’s sake it better hope Neymar et al are distracted by their red-and-white checkerboard jerseys.