The year could not have ended better for the Brazilian national team.
After a poor start in 2016, which resulted in Dunga’s dismissal after the elimination in the first round of the Copa América, the team beat Peru 2-0 on Wednesday in Lima, and now leads the table. The team led by Tite registered their sixth consecutive victory, and matched the record of wins in the qualifiers of João Saldanha’s Brazil side in 1969. Brazil have 27 points with six matches remaining, and they’ve practically guaranteed qualification to the World Cup in Russia. From the beginning of the current format of the qualifiers, when everyone face off twice, the fifth-placed team never had more than 25 points. By the rules of the tournament, the top four team will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the fifth contests a play-off with a representative from Oceania. The goals in the victory over Peru were scored by Gabriel Jesus and Renato Augusto, both in the second half. With his goal, the Palmeiras striker, who will join Manchester City in January, overcomes Neymar and closes the year as the top-scorer of Brazil, alongside Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho. Each scored five times this season.
Since 2011, the former Santos star was the top-scorer of the Seleção; he scored four goals this year. After dropping to sixth in March in the qualifying rounds, the team finishes the year with seven wins, three draws and a loss.
The year could not have ended better for the Brazilian national team.
After a poor start in 2016, which resulted in Dunga’s dismissal after the elimination in the first round of the Copa América, the team beat Peru 2-0 on Wednesday in Lima, and now leads the table. The team led by Tite registered their sixth consecutive victory, and matched the record of wins in the qualifiers of João Saldanha’s Brazil side in 1969. Brazil have 27 points with six matches remaining, and they’ve practically guaranteed qualification to the World Cup in Russia. From the beginning of the current format of the qualifiers, when everyone face off twice, the fifth-placed team never had more than 25 points. By the rules of the tournament, the top four team will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the fifth contests a play-off with a representative from Oceania. The goals in the victory over Peru were scored by Gabriel Jesus and Renato Augusto, both in the second half. With his goal, the Palmeiras striker, who will join Manchester City in January, overcomes Neymar and closes the year as the top-scorer of Brazil, alongside Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho. Each scored five times this season.
Since 2011, the former Santos star was the top-scorer of the Seleção; he scored four goals this year. After dropping to sixth in March in the qualifying rounds, the team finishes the year with seven wins, three draws and a loss.
