Five-time world champions Brazil became the first side to book their place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ through the qualifiers after securing their eighth consecutive win since Tite took over as coach.
Brazil sealed their ticket to Russia with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Paraguay. Neymar starred once again, scoring a goal to become his side’s leading marksman of the qualifiers with six, with Philippe Coutinho and Marcelo also on target.
Following a matchday that was high on excitement, the identity of the other qualifiers from the CONMEBOL Zone remains far from clear, with only six points separating second from eighth and only four rounds of matches remaining.
Peru did their chances a power of good by beating Uruguay 2-1, a result that dented Los Charrúas hopes and, coupled with Argentina’s defeat in La Paz, allowed Colombia to slip into second place after their win over Ecuador in Quito.
The Argentinians now find themselves back in the play-off berth, while the Ecuadorians are out of the top five altogether.
