Brazil continued their 100% record in the World Cup qualifiers as they put in another dominating performance against Paraguay. Seleção beat Paraguay 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Asuncion on Tuesday, thanks to Neymar’s early strike and Lucas Paqueta’s late goal.
Brazil hadn’t beaten Paraguay away from home since 1985, but Neymar appeared to put that record in peril as early as the third minute when he controlled a poorly executed cross from Gabriel Jesus and side-footed home from eight meters.
The goal was his 66th in 105 appearances for Brazil, and it also saw him build on his current impressive form in national colors. As it stands, he has four goals and three assists in five qualifying games, the most in the competition for any player.
Brazil dominated the game and should have added to their tally even before Paqueta scored the game’s second goal in the fourth minute of injury time with a superb left-footed drive into the bottom corner.
Paraguay went undefeated in five South American qualifiers, but they rarely tested the visitors, and even when they did, Ederson, a surprise replacement for Alisson Becker in goal, was up to the task, with one outstanding save to deny Omar Alderete.
Brazil now have their best start to a World Cup qualifying campaign since 1969, when they also won their first six games.
They now lead the South American qualification group for Qatar 2022 with a maximum of 18 points. The top four teams are automatically qualified for Qatar, while the fifth team competes in an intercontinental playoff.
