World Cup qualification
Brazil was the first team in South America to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The “Selecao” around superstar Neymar won 1-0 (0-0) against Colombia with returnees James Rodriguez in Sao Paulo on Thursday.
The goal was scored by Lyon legionnaire Lucas Paqueta in the 72nd minute after an assist by Marquinhos and a pass from Neymar. It was Brazil’s eleventh victory in twelve World Cup qualifiers. “This qualification is the result of the work we have done in the past,” Paqueta said on Brazilian television. “I cried with happiness (at the goal, note) because of the phase that I’m going through in the national team and at Lyon.”
Brazil coach Tite said he was aiming for “stability, creativity, goals and victories” by the start of the World Cup in around a year. “That is excellence. That’s what drives us. We have to come as close as possible. ”The players celebrated in the dressing room with a flag of Qatar and the Brazilian flag, as Neymar posted on social networks.
Chile moves up to fourth place
Previously, Chile had won 1-0 against Paraguay in Asuncion and moved up to fourth place in the table, ahead of Colombia. Ecuador beat bottom Venezuela 1-0. Brazil (34 points) clearly leads the table ahead of Argentina (25), Ecuador and now Chile. The fourth place, which still entitles to direct qualification, is hard fought between Chile, Colombia and Uruguay. The fifth placed participates in the intercontinental playoffs.
Argentina will meet hosts Uruguay in Montevideo on Friday, and Brazil will face Argentina in San Juan on November 16. These two teams have played one game less than the other teams because of the coronavirus scandal in Sao Paulo. Their game at the beginning of September was canceled after a few minutes because officials from the Brazilian health authority ANVISA wanted to remove three Argentines playing for English clubs because of alleged violations of the CoV regulations.
