Brazil become first team to qualify for 2018 World Cup
SAO PAULO: Neymar shrugged off some rough tackling and a missed penalty to score a brilliant solo goal as he led Brazil to a 3-0 win over Paraguay which booked their place at the 2018 World Cup finals on Tuesday.
It was Brazil’s eighth consecutive win in qualifying and, combined with Peru’s 2-1 win over Uruguay in a later game, ensured they would finish the 10-nation group in the top four, guaranteeing them a berth at the Russia finals.
Brazil lead the standings on 33 points with four matches to play, 11 points ahead of arch-rivals Argentina.
The top four teams qualify automatically and the fifth play off against a team from another confederation. Paraguay are in eighth spot on 18 points, behind Peru on goal difference.
COLOMBIA MOVE TO SECOND IN STANDINGS
QUITO: Real Madrid star James Rodriguez shrugged off his obscene gesture controversy with a match-winning display as Colombia beat Ecuador 2-0 to edge closer to the World Cup berth on Tuesday.
Rodriguez opened the scoring after 20 minutes, when he bundled in a superb cross from Carlos Bacca to give Colombia a crucial 1-0 lead.
Rodriguez then turned provider for Colombia’s second goal, latching onto a clever lofted pass by Edwin Cardona before squaring for Juventus star Juan Cuadrado to score.
It was the second time in as many games Rodriguez had proved crucial in a Colombia victory following his decisive penalty against Bolivia last week.
Tuesday’s win lifted the Colombians into second place in South America’s qualifying standings with 24 points from 14 games.
SANCHEZ STARS IN CHILE VICTORY
SANTIAGO: Alexis Sanchez powered Chile to a 3-1 victory over Venezuela on Tuesday.
Sanchez opened the scoring with a magnificent curling freekick after only four minutes.
He was involved in the build-up for Chile’s second goal scored by Esteban Paredes in the seventh minute. Sanchez provided the cross to present Paredes with a goal-line header for Chile’s third in the 22nd minute.