The fortunes of the major South American teams were mixed during the final round of World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday night.
Five-times champions Brazil continued their 100 per cent record with a 2-0 win over Paraguay, while Argentina drew 2-2 with Colombia.
Neymar and Lucas Paqueta scored Brazil’s goals, marking the team’s first win over Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier in 35 years.
Brazil (left) celebrated another World Cup qualifier victory on Tuesday, while Argentina did not
Brazil have not defeated Paraguay away from home since 1985 but took the lead early in the third minute when Neymar controlled an embarrassing cross from Gabriel Jesus and pounced on it from close range.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker entered this match with four goals and made three assists in five qualifying matches for Brazil so far, the best result in the tournament, and his 66th goal in 105 matches for his country.
Wearing her blue changing ribbons, Brazil were ahead the whole time and should have added to their tally just before the fourth minute of stoppage time when Paqueta netted a superb left-footed goal in the bottom corner.
Unbeaten in five South American qualifiers, Paraguay rarely threatened the visitors, and even when they did they found Manchester City’s Ederson, a surprising choice to replace Liverpool’s Alisson Becker in goal, equal to their efforts, by saving Omar. Alderete right outside the top staircase.
The clean sheet was Brazil’s fifth in six matches and it made its best start to a World Cup qualifier since 1969, when it also won its first six matches.
Neymar put Brazil ahead in Paraguay with this finish from close range after just three minutes
The result puts them at the top of the South American qualifiers for Qatar 2022, with a maximum of 18 points.
“It was a game where we scored early in the first half and that really got us playing and allowed us to play the ball and Paraguay had to chase the game and we killed it in the end,” Brazil defender Marquinhos said.
“We knew how hard it was to come here,” Marquinhos said. “We are happy to open a gap with the second-placed team in the table.”
Brazil boosted its lead to six points after Argentina got rid of its lead by two goals to be retained by Colombia.
Lucas Paqueta (left) celebrates after scoring Brazil’s second goal to confirm Tuesday’s win
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, scored twice in the first eight minutes but could not stand the pressure of Colombia in the second half as the host nation tied 2-2 in a thrilling World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made five changes from the team that drew 1-1 with Chile last week, and his side got the best possible start when Christian Romero, playing for the second time internationally, headed home from a free kick in three minutes.
Leandro Paredes made it 2-0 five minutes later when he dribbled past a group of Colombian defenders and passed the ball past the goalkeeper.
Argentina dominated the first half but their dominance waned shortly before the break after Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez walked off the pitch on a stretcher with the possibility of a head injury following a goal clash.
Cristian Romero celebrates after leading Argentina to the early lead against Colombia
Leandro Paredes doubled Argentina’s lead with this superb individual effort after just five minutes
Argentina struggled to contain Colombian Juan Cuadrado as the hosts began to create more chances, with Luis Morel and Duvan Zapata both wasting chances.
But they hit the board five minutes into the second half after Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi used a crank to level Mateus Uribe and Muriel scored the penalty.
Argentina also had chances, but found Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina in inspiring form, as he twice saved Lionel Messi’s frustration.
Just when it looked like Argentina would hold on, substitute Miguel Borga equalized when his head slammed under the body of substitute goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin in injury time.
Luis Morell (centre right) cut the difference for Colombia with a penalty kick in the 51st minute
Miguel Borja slips in celebration after saving Colombia by one point in injury time
“I think we had our chances,” said Argentine midfielder Rodrigo de Paul. “They have a great goalkeeper. We are not happy with the draw.”
Echoing his sentiments, Scaloni said, “Unfortunately, we leave with one point when we deserve all three.”
In the other tournaments, Chile drew 1-1 at home with Bolivia, Peru won 2-1 against Ecuador, and Venezuela played a goalless match with Uruguay.
The top four teams automatically qualify for Qatar (currently Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador and Uruguay) and the fifth-placed team (currently Colombia) plays an intercontinental play-off.
It was a disappointing night for Argentina captain Lionel Messi as they lost more points
