WORLD CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALBRAZIL STRIKER Neymar scored a superb opening goal as he inspired Santos to a clinical 3-1 victory over Japan's Kashiwa Reysol in their Club World Cup semi-final in Toyota yesterday.

The Libertadores Cup holders are expected to face European champions Barcelona in the final, barring the unthinkable in Barca’s semi-final against Qatar’s Al Sadd today.

“We attacked with real purpose today and took our chances well,” Santos coach Muricy Ramalho said after the Brazilians saw off Reysol with three impressive goals.

“We have good skill throughout the team and finishing ability, which was the difference between the teams tonight. There was no luck about the win and the goals were no surprise to me – Neymar, Borges and Danilo always score these kind of goals.”

Neymar, coveted by a host of top European clubs, struck fear into Reysol every time he touched the ball and he hit the post after five minutes.

The 19-year-old pin-up with the blond, mohican haircut put Santos ahead after 19 minutes, curling a fabulous shot into the top corner after deftly switching the ball from right to left.

Santos, crowned South American champions in June for the third time in almost 50 years, when Pele led them to back-to-back titles, looked capable of scoring at will early on.

Neymar’s strike partner Borges smashed home a second goal from the edge of the box in the 24th minute as Santos flexed their muscles and the floodgates threatened to burst open.

Defender Hiroki Sakai threw Reysol a lifeline with a powerful header nine minutes into the second half, but Danilo bent a breathtaking free kick around the wall in the 63rd minute to slam the door on the J-League title holders.

Substitute Ibson rattled the crossbar as classy Santos came close to a deserved fourth goal, roared on by a crowd of 30,000.

“We’ve played three matches in eight days,” said Kashiwa coach Nelsinho, sacked by Santos in 2005. “We created chances but paid for not taking them.”