Brazil became the first country to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Russia thanks to some help from fellow South Americans Peru.
Neymar starred with his 52nd international goal as high-flying Brazil overcame Paraguay 3-0 on Tuesday but the CONMEBOL leaders still needed a favourable result in Peru.
And Tite’s men – amid a nine-game winning streak since last year’s Copa America Centenario – benefited from Peru’s 2-1 win at home to struggling Uruguay as the five-time world champions are assured of at least a fourth-place finish, officially stamping their ticket to Russia 2018.
Tite keeps winning, Brazil keep winning and World Cup qualification is now secured.
Victory over Paraguay on Tuesday was the new head coach’s eighth in a row in qualification matches with Brazil, and ninth in a row overall. And it means Brazil become the first side to qualify for the World Cup in Russia next summer after Peru beat third place Uruguay.
Brazil top the South American qualifying table with 33 points from 14 games played.
This, as has been the case with many of their matches of late, was made to look effortlessly easy.
The five-time world champions are showing they are a force to be reckoned with once more.
Peru’s victory, while keeping their own qualification hopes alive, left third-placed Uruguay 10 points adrift.
With four rounds remaining, Brazil are 11 points clear of Argentina – who are fifth and occupy the play-off spot and will face Uruguay in August.
Brazil are back in qualifying action against Ecuador in the same month.
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