Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari classed Neymar as a "genius" on Saturday and said his Brazil side were pumped up and ready for Wednesday's Confederations Cup semifinal.
.
"He is the hero of every Brazilian and of everyone who loves football," Scolari said of the 21-year old striker after the hosts finished top of Group A with three wins from three following a 4-2 victory over second-placed Italy.
.
"He had some great moves today. People who have that genius can make a difference."
.
Neymar won the man of the match award and scored for the third game running as Brazil shone in a pulsating encounter.
.
Brazil pressured the Italians from the off and also scored through Dante and Fred, who netted twice.
.
But it was Neymar's 55th minute free kick that caused the biggest roar in the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.
.
"He saw that Buffon took a step to the side and he knew that he was going to hit it in the corner," Scolari told reporters of a curling strike that left goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon rooted to the spot.
.
Scolari said he took the Barcelona man off because he had committed a few fouls and he wanted to be certain he would not pick up any cautions that could rule him out of future matches.
.
The coach also saluted defender Dante, the hometown boy who replaced David Luiz in the 34th minute, made a big mistake that almost gave Mario Balotelli a free shot at goal and then popped up inside the box just before halftime to put Brazil ahead.
.
"Dante plays in Bayern Munich and he's been thrown into much harder situation that he was today when he came on," Scolari said.
.
"I can't say he is a first pick but I have no worries about bringing him on. I've told all the players in the squad, I have no worries about taking someone off because I can trust all of the substitutes."
.
Although the win was Scolari's fourth in a row, the coach said Brazil were still a work in progress ahead of a probable meeting with Uruguay.
.
"We are not ready for what we will face in the World Cup but we're ready for the (Confederations Cup) semifinal," said Scolari.
.
"We have good quality and our tactical game is quite well established."
.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli agreed with that assessment and rated Brazil, bizarrely ranked 22 in the Fifa rankings, one of the outstanding two teams of the tournament.