Host nation Brazil have started their 2013 Confederations Cup campaign with a 3-0 win over Japan in Group A.

© AP Photos

It was the perfect start for Brazil when Neymar opened the scoring in style, latching onto a Fred chest-down to rifle into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Japan did not let the setback get to them and responded with some neat football; they nearly levelled when Keisuke Honda tested Julio Cesar with a curling effort.

Yuto Nagatomo was the next to try his shooting boots, but his effort from outside the box was never in danger of going in.

Even earlier than they went ahead in the first half, Brazil doubled their lead in the second. Daniel Alves pinged in a cross from the right, which Paulinho controlled and shot in the same move, sending his effort flying into the net.

After that Brazil started to turn on the style. Neymar showed his fancy footwork and Oscar came on to stretch the Japanese legs, and the result was well and truly sealed with Jo's late strike.

Written by
Matt Domm