Neymar scored a hat-trick to help Brazil hammer China in an international friendly in Recife.

The hosts had little trouble in seeing off the Asian side, with six of the goals coming in a one-sided second half.

Ramires, Lucas, Hulk, an own goal from Liu Jianye and an Oscar penalty completed the rout.

Brazil, jeered by home fans following a disjointed 1-0 win over South Africa on Friday, were back to their exhilarating best and took the lead in the 22nd minute when Chelsea team-mates Ramires and Oscar combined for the former to chip over goalkeeper Chang Yeng.

Three minutes later, Oscar picked out Neymar to score from close range.

They failed to add to their lead before half-time but needed just three minutes after the interval to make it 3-0 as Hulk found Lucas who fired home.

In the 51st minute, Neymar's strike from outside the box cannoned off the crossbar and into the path of Hulk, who gratefully slotted in.

More goals were to come as, two minutes later, Marcelo crossed from the left and Neymar was left unmarked to make it 5-0.

He completed his treble in the 71st minute, capitalising on more good work from the influential Oscar.

The hapless Liu then fired past his own keeper before Oscar completed the scoring from the spot after Yu Yang needlessly elbowed Marcelo inside the area.

The last time Brazil scored eight times was on May 20, 2006, when they defeated Swiss team Lucerne in a warm-up game before the 2006 World Cup.

PA