BRAZIL are crossing the border to Paraguay as they look to continue their one hundred per cent record in World Cup qualifying.
The Selecao were 2-0 winners over Ecuador last week though the visitors were left fuming as Neymar was controversially allowed to retake a missed penalty.
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THAT’S ALL FROM ASUNCION – REPORT
BRAZIL made it six wins from six World Cup qualifying games with a 2-0 win over Paraguay in Asuncion.
It was the hosts who started the very early stages the brighter and looked like they had a strong penalty shout when Danilo’s dangling leg appeared to bring down Newcastle star Miguel Almiron.
The referee waved play on and the VAR check agreed with him.
Not even a minute later and they found themselves behind.
Gabriel Jesus got free down the right and sent a cross into the middle which Richarlison couldn’t make contact with under pressure from Robert Rojas.
But the ball fell at the feet of Neymar who had all the time in the world inside the box to pick his spot and place it into the bottom corner.
Paraguay were nearly level five minutes later when Omar Alderete pounced on a loose ball 25 yards out and smashed a rocket towards the top corner which Ederson saved spectacularly.
The Selecao thought they had a second on the stroke of half-time when Richarlison was sent clear and showed wonderful skill to touch and finish beyond Antony Silva, only to see the linesman’s flag correctly raised.
Into the second-half and Paraguay didn’t create anything of note as Brazil slowed the game to a pedestrian pace.
They had chances to seal it when Marquinhos sent a free header wide from six yards and Neymar did the same with a shot on 67 minutes.
It seemed like they would just hold on for a narrow win until Neymar again drove at the heart of the Paraguay defence and slipped in substitute Lucas Paqueta who coolly slotted home from 10 yards off the post.
Another Brazil win as they look to be cruising to the World Cup in Qatar. For Paraguay, it ends their unbeaten start in qualifying.
Brazil superstar Neymar FULL-TIME STATS
Despite it being a relatively comfortable night for Brazil, the stats show they really just edged it.
You couldn’t split them possession-wise, with both sides sharing 50% of the ball.
Brazil’s 13 attempts at goal beat Paraguay’s 10, while the also won twice as many fouls – 20v10.
THE GOAL THAT SEALED IT
Here is the Lucas Paqueta goal that finished Paraguay off.
A great assist from Neymar to cap off a good all-round performance.
PSA – Watch the below clip WITH sound on
UPDATED TABLE
How we look after another busy night of World Cup qualifying.
Brazil in imperious form, while Paraguay suffer their first defeat.
They need to start turning the draws in to wins though.
YEY OR NEY
Like him or loathe him, Neymar is a serious baller.
Another excellent performance from the PSG ace, where he could and should have had a hat-trick.
But it was goal number 66 for the Selecao for the No.10.
Neymar celebrating opening the scoring He should have scored at least one more SIX OF THE BEST
Brazil make it six wins from their six World Cup qualifying campaign as they stretch their lead at the top of the standings to six points.
It remains just two goals conceded from those outings as they also go top scorers on 16.
Lucas Paqueta celebrates scoring the second of the game PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
Full-time in Asunción: PARAGUAY 0-2 BRAZIL
PARAGUAY 0-2 BRAZIL
90+3′ Another excellent piece of play from Neymar.
He again drives at a sea of red and white shirts before laying it off wide to Paqueta inside the area.
He coolly opens his body and rolls it from 15 yards across the keeper and in off the post.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!
PAQUETA SEALS IT FOR BRAZIL!
PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
90+3′ It looks like ending 1-0 as Ederson comes out to claim a long ball sent forward.
Marquinhos heads clear PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
90+2′ Barbosa this time with a chance inside the area to finish it but he can’t direct his effort on target.
PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
90+1′ Another poor challenge from Junior Alonso on halfway on Neymar.
He’s let off without a second booking this time.
PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
FOUR MINUTES ADDED
PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
90′ Like earlier, it’s sent comfortably wide of Silva’s left-hand post.
PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
88′ Paraguay discipline has completely gone here, they get THREE yellows in the space of 60 seconds.
Bareiro and Alonso booked in quick succession before Alderete wipes out Neymar and has a kick at him on the ground.
The Brazilian didn’t appreciate that but he does have the chance to seal it with this free-kick, 20 yards from goal.
PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
87′ CHANCE!
It’s worked down the left and the cut back is a good one into the path of Almiron who has a swipe at it.
It’s then laid off on the right inside the box and the shot that comes in is heading for the top corner but Ederson collects.
PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
86′ It doesn’t beat the first man again.
How infuriating must that be to watch from the sides. Just put your foot through it man!!
PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
86′ They get another chance though as Everton fouls Romero on the touchline, 22 yards from goal.
Seven men in red to hit inside the box.
PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
85′ The delivery is poor as it’s clipped up and doesn’t quite reach the box.
Brazil cleat to halfway.
PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
84′ Barbosa in the thick of it straight away, bringing down Almiron 35 yards from goal.
Paraguay running out of time.
PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
And two changes for Brazil:
- OFF – Jesus and Richarlison
- ON – Everton and Gabriel Barbosa
PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
Double switch for the hosts:
- OFF – Cardozo and Romero
- ON – Bareiro and Samudio
PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
79′ Cardozo and Neymar this time in the 50/50 which the Paraguayan midfielder wins – and wins the free kick.
Neymar rolls around in pain for a second or two before jumping back to his feet.
Neymar should have made it 2-0 PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
76′ Again, the Paraguay set piece is defended comfortably by the Brazil backline as Marquinhos heads clear.
PARAGUAY 0-1 BRAZIL
75′ Brazil try to play the ball out from the back and Jesus’ touch is terrible again.
It then means he is into a 50/50 where he was late and high on his man.
A poor tackle that he is capable of and picks up a YELLOW CARD.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
