Brazil 4-1 Uruguay: Neymar and Raphinha star as Selecao continue to cruise on road to Qatar 2022
Leeds United winger Raphinha netted a double on his starting debut for Brazil, who maintained their six-point lead in CONMEBOL qualifying.
Brazil returned to winning ways and continued on their path to Qatar 2022 as Neymar and Raphinha dazzled in a 4-1 World Cup qualifying win over Uruguay on Thursday.
The Selecao, whose perfect qualifying record ended with Sunday's 0-0 draw in Colombia, raced to a two-goal lead within 18 minutes against a ragged Uruguay side via strikes from Neymar and Raphinha, making his first international start.
Raphinha doubled his account in the 58th minute as Brazil dominated La Celeste, with Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera prevented the score from being uglier in Manaus.
Luis Suarez's 77th minute free-kick meant Brazil, who had gone six qualifiers without conceding a goal and nine in home World Cup qualifying games, have conceded twice in their past three before Gabriel 'Gabigol' Barbosa's rounded out the scoring four minutes from time.
Neymar netted in the 10th minute, chesting down Fred's lofted ball into the box, the superstar forward getting around Muslera and drilling home from a sharp angle past Sebastian Coates on the line.
Raphinha doubled Brazil's advantage, firing in after Neymar's shot deflected off Diego Godin and Muslera into his path to become the first Leeds United player to score for the South American giants.
Brazil should have had a third in the 34th minute when Neymar and Raphinha both took a touch too many inside the box, failing to shoot.
Muslera kept Uruguay in the game after the interval, denying Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus twice in quick succession, along with Raphinha.
Edinson Cavani, who started alongside Uruguay's all-time leading scorer Suarez, had a goal disallowed for a clear offside in the 56th minute before Brazil added a third.
Raphinha grabbed his second, capping off a swift counter-attack by firing in off the post from Neymar's release approaching the hour.
Muslera saved well to thwart substitute Barbosa twice, before Suarez rifled in a free-kick into the bottom corner for a consolation goal – his 65th international strike.
Barbosa got his goal after VAR consultation, heading in from Neymar's cross to make it two goals in his last three international appearances.
What does it mean? Brazil stay clear
Brazil maintains their six-point lead from second-placed Argentina in qualifying after 11 games. The Selecao are 15 points ahead of fifth-placed Uruguay, who have six games left, meaning Tite's Brazil are on the brink of World Cup qualification. Uruguay are three points ahead of Chile in sixth, with the top four automatically qualifying for Qatar and fifth facing a play-off.
Suarez ends Brazilian home run
Suarez's late strike ended Brazil's enviable defensive record at home in World Cup qualifying under head coach Tite. Brazil had not conceded in a home World Cup qualifier in nine games, dating back to November 2016.
La Celeste blunted again
Uruguay were outclassed by Brazil throughout, with the hosts dominating shots 22-5 and shots on target 13-3 shots despite La Celeste coach Oscar Tabarez opting to start Suarez alongside Cavani for the first time since the Copa America. The defeat follows Sunday's 3-0 loss to Argentina and last week's goalless home draw with Colombia.
What's next?
Brazil resume qualifying on November 10 at home to Colombia, while Uruguay host rivals Argentina on the same day.
