Brazil beat Paraguay 2-0 at Asuncion on Tuesday to maintain their perfect record in the World Cup qualifying.
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World Cup qualifier : Brazil beat Paraguay 2-0 at Asuncion on Tuesday to maintain their perfect record in the World Cup qualifier. Neymar scored an early goal and provided an assist for Lucas Paqueta in the injury time to seal the three points. It was Brazil’s sixth victory in as many games in the round-robin stage of the 10-team qualifiers. Paraguay threatened Brazil goalkeeper Ederson, who came in for Alisson Becker, on a few occasions but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Neymar opened the scoring in the 4th minute. Gabriel Jesus, who was back into the starting-XI, put in a cross from the right side. Although Richarlison missed an attempted volley, Neymar was at the back post to put the ball past Antony Silva into the Paraguay goal. It was Neymar’s 66th goal in 105th appearace for Brazil.
In reply, Paraguay defender Omar Alderete struck a venomous shot from 30-yards, only to be denied by Ederson’s incredible save. At the other end, a looping through ball found Richarlison’s run inside the box, but the Everton forward’s weak attempt was saved by Silva.
Paraguay striker Miguel Almiron found space inside the penalty area, but his shot deflected off Brazil defender Eder Militao to go away from goal. Just before the interval, Richarlison thought he had scored, but was called off-side.
After the break, Gustavo Gomez’ header was saved by Ederson. Meanwhile Neymar’s cross was headed out by Marquinhos from just four yards out.
Substitute Paqueta sealed the match in the 93rd minute. Neymar laid the ball to the 23-year-old striker at the right side of penalty area, he calmly placed the ball past Silva into the bottom corner of the far post with his left foot.
PSG striker, Neymar now has five goals and four assists from six qualifying games, the best haul in the tournament.
The win helped Brazil to 18 points from 6 games, four points away from second placed Argentina, who were held to a second consecutive draw against Colombia in the other match of the day.
Paraguay are sixth in the table with 7 points.
