Finally, we get to see the real Neymar

On Monday, we finally got to see the real Neymar.

Brazil has known for months that success at the World Cup was predicated on Neymar getting healthy and playing his best soccer. He suffered a broken foot while playing for Paris Saint-Germain in February, and all he had to get ready for this tournament was a couple of friendly matches. No competitive games, nothing full speed, nothing that really mattered.

That meant the group stage was a bit of a warm-up for Neymar too, and he never looked like the best version of himself. Brazil entered this World Cup as the favorite to win the tournament, but never really looked the part against Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia.

Apparently, three competitive games was exactly the number Neymar needed to find full speed again. He came alive against Mexico, recording a goal and an assist in a man of the match performance. Watch him both set up the move and score on Brazil’s opener against Mexico.

And here’s the clinching goal, featuring Neymar taking off running in an acre of space and squaring to Roberto Firmino.

Neymar finished the game with seven shots and five key passes — a pass leading directly to a shot by a teammate — both the most recorded by anyone on either team. Neymar also dribbled past opposing defenders a team-leading five times and completed four forward passes to teammates in the box. Brazil did well as a team to get him involved frequently too, getting him 70 touches, which was good for second-most on the team.

This was the real Neymar. The team-leading, game-dominating, completely healthy version. And with a fully fit Neymar, Brazil is the favorite to win the World Cup.