Messi-less Argentina lose, Brazil almost there

Montevideo, March 29

Brazil put one foot in next year’s World Cup Finals on Tuesday with a 3-0 victory over Paraguay as Argentina’s qualification campaign took a tumble against Bolivia after the shock suspension of Lionel Messi.

Barcelona superstar Neymar scored a dazzling solo goal after Liverpool forward Philippe Coutinho had opened the scoring for Brazil as the five-time world champions notched an eighth straight qualifying victory.

The win means Brazil are all but guaranteed to extend their record of never failing to qualify for the World Cup by securing their place in Russia. Tuesday’s victory sees them lead the 10-team standings by nine points with four games remaining. With the top four teams in South America qualifying, only a freak set of results can deny Brazil a place in the Finals.

Argentina’s 2-0 defeat leaves them languishing just outside the automatic qualifying places. Chile moved up to fourth place. — AFP