Paqueta sends Brazil to the World Cup – Hincapie leaves Ecuador dreaming

The first South American participant in the 2022 World Cup has been confirmed. Brazil finally secured their place at the tournament in Qatar with a 1-0 (0-0) win over Colombia in Sao Paulo. The goal was scored by Lucas Paqueta (Olympique Lyon) in the 72nd minute after an assist from Marquinhos and a pass from Neymar. It was Brazil’s eleventh win in their twelfth World Cup qualifier.

“This qualification is the result of the work we have done in the past,” Paqueta said on Brazilian television. “I cried with happiness because of the phase I’m going through in the national team and with Lyon. “

Fan rushes to Neymar on the pitch

National coach Tite, meanwhile, is aiming for “stability, creativity, goals and victories” by the time the World Cup starts in around a year’s time. “That is excellence. That’s what drives us. We need to get as close to that as possible.” The players celebrated in the dressing room with a Qatar flag and the Brazilian flag, as seen in an Instagram post by Neymar. The superstar was hugged and lifted into the air after the match by a fan who had made it onto the pitch, before security guards escorted the man off the field. Neymar remained calm, even hugging the fan briefly.

Goalkeeper own goal earns Chile three points

Earlier, Chile beat Paraguay 1-0 away in Asunción through an own goal by opposing goalkeeper Antony Silva to move into fourth place ahead of Colombia in the eliminatorias. Behind Brazil (34 points), Argentina (25, at Uruguay on Friday) and Ecuador (20, after a 1-0 win over Venezuela, scored by Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie with a header), Chile are now fourth on 16 points and would also be in Qatar.

Behind them, Colombia, Uruguay (both also 16) and Peru (14 after a 3-0 win over Bolivia) are fighting to keep up. The fifth-placed team will take part in the intercontinental play-offs. Brazil and Argentina still have to play a make-up match because of the Corona incident in Sao Paulo