Brazil scored twice in the last four minutes, including a first international goal for Real Madrid striker Rodrygo, to cap a comfortable 4-0 win over Paraguay in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier here.
The defeat ended Paraguay’s chances of qualifying for Qatar and further cemented Brazil’s position as one of the favourites to lift the trophy in December. Brazil top the South American qualifying group with no defeats in 15 games and the win extended to 61 matches their unbeaten home record in World Cup qualifiers.
Paraguay, who have yet to win any of their first five games under coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto, are second from bottom of the 10-team group with 13 points from 16 games.
It was a successful but frustrating night for Raphinha, who scored one, had another chalked off, and also hit the post.
The Leeds United winger thought he had put Brazil 1-0 up after just 93 seconds only to see the goal ruled out after a lengthy consultation with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
However, with 28 minutes gone he superbly controlled a long ball from Marquinhos and wriggled between two defenders to put Brazil 1-0 ahead.
He was unlucky not to get another early in the second half as he saw his volley come back off the post. Philippe Coutinho got a deserved second for the home side just after the hour when he placed a sumptuous shot into the top corner of the net from 30 meters out.
Antony made the scoreline more reflective of the play with four minutes left when he curled a left-foot shot past a helpless keeper. And Rodrygo tapped home a minute later to round off a commanding performance from the five-times world champions.
Martinez on target
Argentina extended their unbeaten run to 29 games on Tuesday when they beat a toothless Colombia 1-0. Lautaro Martinez got the only goal of an untidy game after 29 minutes when he took advantage of slack defending to rifle home from inside the penalty area.
The top four teams in the South American section qualify automatically for Qatar and the fifth-placed side goes into a playoff with a team from the Asian confederation.
Brazil and Argentina have already qualified and Ecuador’s 24 points mean they are almost certain to join them.
The result leaves Colombia in seventh place in the 10-team table with 17 points, five points behind Uruguay, two behind Chile, and three behind Peru, who could strengthen their position further with a win over Ecuador later on Tuesday.
Uruguay and Chile recorded crucial wins to keep their qualification hopes alive on a night when Ecuador moved a point closer to a guaranteed spot in Qatar thanks to a 1-1 draw with Peru.
