Pre-match, all the talk had been of the Chinese side’s impressive defensive record in recent times. However, it was quickly evident that the understrength East Asian side would provide little opposition for the Seleção.
Few, though, could have predicted the extent of the demolition in Recife, with the game quickly taking on the air of a training session for the hosts.
Brazil dominated the early possession and gained their rewards midway through the first-half when Ramires calmly lofted the ball over the keeper to round off a fine Brazilian attack.
The score was quickly doubled through Neymar, as the Santos forward was provided a goal on a plate by Oscar – the Chelsea man’s second assist of the half.
China held firm until half-time, but worse was to come. Within minutes of the second-half getting underway, Brazil had added three more through Lucas Moura, Hulk and Neymar, with the latter central to the Seleção’s attacking play.
On the hour mark, Neymar was rewarded for his efforts with a first international hat-trick, taking his tally to 12 international goals in 21 appearances.
With the game in the bag, Mano Menezes rolled out multiple second-half substitutions, with Rever, Arouca and Jonas amongst those given the opportunity to impress.
However, even with the score at 6-0, Brazil were not finished yet. First, Liu Jianye was the unfortunate scorer of an own-goal as Lucas looked to supply Hulk for his second goal, before Oscar added another from the penalty spot to complete the rout.
For China, it had become an embarrassment. For Brazil and manager Mano Menezes, it was exactly what was required following the struggle to defeat South Africa on Friday.
With the supporters appeased for now, Brazil now head into a Superclassico double-header with Argentina starting on September 20.
Brazil: Diego Alves, Daniel Alves (Adriano), Dedé, David Luiz (Réver), Romulo (Sandro), Marcelo, Lucas Moura, Ramires (Arouca), Oscar (Leandro Damião), Neymar (Jonas), Hulk.
China: Zeng Cheng, Peng Zhao, Liu Jianye, Yu Yang, Tang Miao; Xuri Zhao, Lu Peng, Jian Liu, Hao Junmin (Zhang Yuan); Gao Lin (Yang Xu), Zhu Ting.
