No major hurdle
Casemiro says Brazil deserve congratulations for huge win
Brazil’s Neymar (right) escapes a tackle by Bolivia’s Leonardo Zabala during the 2022 World Cup South American qualifying match at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo. Brazil thrash Bolivia 5- 0.
SAO PAULO: Brazil’s captain put their impressive 5-0 win over Bolivia down to the single-minded way the five-time world champions addressed their opening World Cup qualifier in Sao Paulo.
“Without a doubt, we have to highlight the fact that we took this seriously,” Casemiro said on Friday.
“At no time did we try any funny stuff, we were always respectful. That’s football, if you have the opportunity, then try and score more. We took this game 100 per cent seriously.”
Brazil overran Bolivia and could have scored more but for profligate finishing and decent goalkeeping.
Everton and Marquinhos both missed golden opportunities during the first three minutes but Marquinhos eventually broke the deadlock with a header after 16 minutes.
Roberto Firmino then added goals either side of half time before an own goal from Jose Maria Carrasco and a fifth from Philippe Coutinho completed what was the perfect start for the home side.
The result takes Brazil to the top of the South American qualifying
I think there’s always room for improvement, what’s important is getting used to playing together.
Casemiro
group after just one game, ahead of Colombia, who beat Venezuela 3-0; Uruguay, who needed a controversial late goal to overcome Chile 2-1 on Thursday; and Argentina, who beat Ecuador thanks to a Lionel Messi penalty.
Brazil now go to Lima to play Peru on Tuesday but Casemiro warned their latest triumph will count for nothing against the in-form Peruvians.
“I think there’s always room for improvement, what’s important is getting used to playing together,” the Real Madrid mid-fielder said.
“We’ll adapt better as we play more games. That’s what is important. We deserve congratulations today. We were always looking for goals.”
Colombia scored all their three goals in a superb first half against Venezuela to get their qualifying campaign off to an impressive start at home in Barranquilla.
Venezuela are the only side in South America never to have reached the World Cup finals and they showed why in a disastrous opening 45 minutes at a fan-free stadium on Colombia’s coast.
Duvan Zapata put the home side 1-0 up after 16 minutes when he slid in and finished off a delicious low cross from Juan Cuadrado.
His Atalanta teammate Luis Muriel made it two nine minutes later when he scored with a firsttime shot from 10m out.
Muriel then got Colombia’s third just seconds before the half-time whistle, when he completed a rapid counterattack.