Neymar marked his return from a knee injury in spectacular fashion as Brazil beat Croatia 2-0 in a pre-World Cup friendly at Anfield.
The Paris St Germain star produced a stunning individual effort in the 68th minute of his first outing since he fractured his metatarsal playing for Paris St Germain in February.
And much to the delight of the sizeable home support, Liverpool playmaker Roberto Firmino added the second in added time to wrap up a comfortable win for the Brazilians.
Neymar had started on the bench as he eases back into contention but there was a start for former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho on his return to Anfield.
It was the Croatians, limbering up for a tough group involving Argentina, Nigeria and Iceland, who threatened first but an Ante Rebic chance was snuffed out by Thiago Silva.
Also playing on home soil, Croatian defender Dejan Lovren came close to snatching the lead when he headed inches over from a corner.
And despite relatively few first-half chances, the intent within the game could not be under-stated with both Ivan Perisic and Fernandinho booked by referee Michael Oliver in a tetchy end to the first half.
Neymar's introduction added urgency to the Brazilian forward line which only increased when Firmino replaced Gabriel Jesus on the hour.
And Neymar broke the deadlock in style when he was fed by Coutinho on the left and drifted inside, beating Sime Vrsaljko before lashing the ball home off the crossbar.
Chances remained at a premium in what, Neymar apart, was proving a low-key encounter, with both sides evidently having their minds on other things.
But there was the finish the home fans wanted deep in stoppage time when Firmino met Casemiro's lofted cross and chipped home with a beautiful finish.
Brazil coach Tite hailed the match-winning return of Neymar but insisted his side are more than a one-man team as they go in search of a sixth World Cup title.
Tite told reporters: "He (Neymar) came back above normal, far above my expectations. I expected much less of him because it is a gradual process.
"He will have to go through stages - he is going to have his ups and downs but by the third, fourth or fifth game he will be back to his level."
However Tite urged caution over the striker's return, and would not say if he had decided whether Neymar will feature in Brazil's final pre-World Cup friendly against Austria in Vienna next Sunday.
He added: "He is a different player but he cannot be given the responsibility to decide - that would be inhumane. He is a key part - but not everything.
"To reach the goal requires the medical department, physiology and so much work. It is unfair to put that (pressure) on one person - the sense of the team is stronger."
A rare mistake from David De Gea cost Spain a friendly victory over Switzerland in their penultimate fixture before this summer's World Cup.
They are still to face Tunisia next Saturday before their World Cup opener against neighbours Portugal on June 15, but will perhaps do so without the momentum they hoped for after being held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland, despite being the superior team.
Alvaro Odriozola's first-half goal, on the occasion of only his third international cap, gave Spain a half-time lead.
Ricardo Rodriguez was then gifted Switzerland's equalising goal midway through the second half, when De Gea fumbled a routine shot into his path from close range.
Diego Costa - competing for a starting place against Portugal - and Koke both threatened on goal during a first half in which the guile of Andres Iniesta and David Silva ensured Julen Lopetegui's team largely controlled possession.
Odriozola's goal came in the 28th minute, by when Switzerland had yet to look like scoring.
The 22-year-old, who was deputising for the injured Dani Carvajal, produced a superb, powerful volley from the edge of the area and with the outside of his boot after Silva had hooked the ball back and found him in space.
Costa, with a close-range diving header, and Iniesta both went close to doubling Spain's lead, the latter when he forced Yann Sommer into a fine save.
Iniesta again went close in the second half, before the equalising goal that went against the run of play.
Stephan Lichtsteiner, earning his 100th cap, then tested De Gea with a curling effort in the 62nd minute, and though he dived well to save he spilt the ball straight to Rodriguez, who then calmly scored straight from the rebound.
Substitutes Lucas Vazquez and Rodrigo later combined to almost restore Spain's lead, and Thiago Alcantara wasted two further goalscoring chances, before Nacho twice went close in added time.
First he sent a curling finish against the post, and then he headed wide after climbing highest from a corner.
Switzerland instead remained resilient, as they will also plan to be in Friday's friendly against Japan, before their World Cup campaign begins against Brazil.
Peru captain Paolo Guerrero seized his second chance as his side eased past Saudi Arabia 3-0 in St Gallen.
Guerrero, whose doping ban was overturned in the Swiss supreme court last week meaning he can play at the World Cup, scored twice after team-mate Andre Carrillo had opened the scoring.
Mexico continued their World Cup preparations with a 1-0 win over Scotland in Mexico City.
Giovani Dos Santos scored what turned out to be the only goal of the game in the 12th minute but the hosts had chances to increase their lead and hit the woodwork twice.
Costa Rica hit form before they fly to face England at Elland Road next week with Joel Campbell instrumental in a 3-0 win over Northern Ireland in San Jose.
Campbell set up his side's first and third goals, for Johan Venegas and Francisco Calvo, and scored the second himself moments into the second half.
