Brazil's Neymar, right, and Peru's Luis Advincula vie for the ball during their 2022 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match at the National Stadium in Lima, on October 13, 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (PHOTO / AFP)

LIMA - Brazil twice came from behind to beat Peru 4-2 in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, as Neymar netted a hat-trick and overtook Ronaldo as the second-highest scorer in the history of Brazil's national team.

Everton forward Richarlison also struck for the visitors while Andre Carillo and Renato Tapia were on target for Peru at Estadio Nacional.

Neymar's performance saw him overtake Ronaldo as the second-highest scorer in the 106-year history of Brazil's national team. The Paris Saint-Germain forward has now scored 64 times in 103 appearances as he bears down on Pele's mark of 77 goals set almost half a century ago.

Neymar's performance saw him overtake Ronaldo as the second-highest scorer in the 106-year history of Brazil's national team. The Paris Saint-Germain forward has now scored 64 times in 103 appearances as he bears down on Pele's mark of 77 goals set almost half a century ago

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The result came four days after Brazil started their qualifying campaign with a 5-0 win over Bolivia in Sao Paulo. The Selecao lead the 10-team CONMEBOL zone standings while Peru, who drew 2-2 with Paraguay in their opening match, are eighth.

Carillo shocked the five-time world champion when he gave Peru the lead after just six minutes, thumping in a 20-yard effort after a timid Marquinhos clearance.

Selecao manager Tite was forced to replace Marquinhos with Rodrigo Caio just minutes later after the Paris Saint-Germain center-back limped off with a leg-muscle injury.

Brazil struggled for cohesion in midfield but drew level against the run of play courtesy of a Neymar penalty after he was pulled down by Yoshimar Yotun.

Peru regained the lead just before the hour mark when Caio headed out of the 18-yard box only to see the ball fall to Renato Tapia, whose volley flew into the net following a deflection.

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The goal spurred Brazil into action and Richarlison squared the ledger again by bundling in at the far post after Roberto Firmino met a Neymar corner with a looping header.

Luis Abram then clattered into Everton Soares and Chilean referee Julio Bascunan did not hesitate to award a penalty. Neymar again converted the spot-kick by sending Pedro Gallese the wrong way.

Peru was reduced to 10 men in the 89th minute as Carlos Zambrano paid the price for a recklessly hitting Richarlison in the face while attempting to protect the ball.

The visitors completed the rout in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Everton's chipped effort rebounded off the post and into the path of Neymar, who had the easiest of tap-ins.