Manchester City's summer signing Gabriel Jesus also impressed, scored twice at the Maracana
Brazil are through to the final of the men's Olympic football tournament after a relaxing afternoon stroll at the Maracana.
The hosts, who have grown into the competition after an underwhelming start, never looked like being tested by an overawed Honduras side, running out comfortable 6-0 winners on a sun-kissed day in Rio.
The die was cast in the very first moments of the game, Neymar bundling home the opener to settle Brazil's nerves. Manchester City new boy Gabriel Jésus extended the lead after running on to an inch-perfect Luan pass, before cutting in from the left to make it 3-0 before half-time.
Marquinhos profited from some slack defending to get in on the act on 51 minutes, Luan added another from close range before Neymar rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot.
Here are five things we learned:
1. Neymar thrives in central role
Before the quarter-final win over Colombia, Neymar had not scored for his country for six games over an 11-month stretch – his longest dry spell in the golden jersey. His sluggish displays in the group stage had prompted boos from Seleção fans, while Brazil greats like Zico and Tostão declared themselves unimpressed with his form.
But there was a marked improvement against Denmark, when he took up a more central position and took on creative responsibilities. Then, against Colombia, it was his stunning free-kick that settled home nerves and paved the way for a 2-0 victory.
Here, he was supreme. Not tied to the left flank and with willing runners buzzing around him, Neymar repeatedly picked the ball up from his midfielders and posed questions to the Honduras defence. There was the usual trickery and cunning, but also real vision: one disguised pass should have resulted in a goal for Luan and his through ball for Gabriel Jésus' second was a thing of beauty.
A player of his ability should be shining in an under-23 tournament, of course, but as the old adage goes, you can only beat what's in front of you.
2. Honduras their own worst enemies
Three passes, eight touches and 15 seconds: that was the extent of the Honduras resistance at the Maracana. Jorge Luis Pinto's side made the worst start imaginable, conceding the opening goal straight from their own kick-off when Johnny Palacios (brother of Wilson) carelessly allowed Neymar to steal the ball just outside the area.
Things did not improve much thereafter: there was the odd forward foray but Honduras' main tactic appeared to be fouling Brazil's attackers into submission and hoping for the best. That might have worked had they been able to keep things tight early on, but it was never going to get them back into this one.
3. Another good day for Brazil's defence
They won't have too many easier afternoons at the office than this, but the Brazil defence can still reflect on a job well done after claiming another clean sheet. Including the pre-tournament friendly against Japan, that's now six games without conceding a single goal – a fantastic record whatever the circumstances.
Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Marquinhos is a known quantity to fans on this side of the Atlantic, but his partner, Rodrigo Caio, also deserves praise. The São Paulo youngster's progress stalled a touch after a serious knee problem in 2014 but now looks back to his best, organising those around him and passing calmly from the back. A move to Europe surely beckons once more.
4. Big Daddy shows who's boss
23-year-old forward Luan has garnered rave reviews since coming into the team in the Denmark match, and rightly so: his clever movement has helped Neymar and the two Gabriels to settle into a rhythm in the final third.
But arguably, the promotion of Gremio team-mate Walace to the starting XI has had an equally profound effect. The hulking, physical midfielder (his nickname is 'Big Daddy') has provided muscle and solidity alongside Renato Augusto, allowing the four forwards relative freedom to focus on attacking duties.
He's been compared with Gilberto Silva since emerging in the last 18 months and, at 21, could have a very bright future.
5. Old enemies await
Brazil will only learn their final opponents later on Wednesday, but it will be a match loaded with meaning whoever wins the other semi-final.
Germany, of course, have been a looming presence in the Brazilian collective consciousness since that World Cup mauling in Belo Horizonte – a result that shook this footballing nation to the very core. Even two years after the event, you see frequent references to 'the 7-1' in newspaper columns, while the popular 'Gol da Alemanha!' meme is still going strong. Revenge is a dish best served cold, but a second helping of German dominance would be especially hard to swallow.
Nigeria are Germany's opponents in São Paulo and also have history with Brazil: it was the Super Eagles who knocked the Seleção out of the 1996 Olympic tournament at the semi-final stage, ruining the gold-medal hopes of Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Rivaldo, among others.
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