Brazil 5-0 Bolivia: Five talking points as Selecao impress on opening day | World Cup qualifiers

Brazil cruised past Bolivia with minimal fuss
Brazil cruised past Bolivia with minimal fuss

Brazil got its World Cup qualifying campaign off to a flyer after a solid 5-0 thrashing of minnows Bolivia at the Sao Paulo.

Marquinhos and Philipe Coutinho bagged a goal apiece on either side of a brace from Roberto Firmino and an own goal by Jose Carrasco as the Canaries breezed past the hapless Greens.

Tite's man completely dominated the game from start to finish, and even though the scoreline could've been bigger if some big chances hadn't gone abegging, they would take this result any day.

Here are the five major talking points from the match.

#5. Firmino reminds Liverpool of his scoring ability

What struggles? Firmino was firing at all cylinders!
What struggles? Firmino was firing at all cylinders!

Roberto Firmino is often criticized for not scoring enough for Liverpool. The striker didn't even hit double-digit figures in the Premier League last season and is yet to open his account in the new season. However, with a brace in this match he showed there's nothing to worry about.

Unlike his role at the Merseyside, where he isn't the focal point of the attack and rather operates as a springboard for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to shine, Firmino was at the receiving end of the deliveries here for Brazil and relished the opportunities presented to him.

This was the first time he struck twice for Brazil in a match, and although both his goals came through simple finishing, it shows how deadly he can be if given proper service. Hopefully, this will soon reignite Firmino's scoring touch for the Reds too.

#4. Coutinho continues his bright start to the season

Coutinho's 2020/21 season is off to a bang
Coutinho's 2020/21 season is off to a bang

While Firmino was struggling to get off in the new campaign, his ex-Liverpool teammate Philipe Coutinho has started his second spell with Barcelona on a highly positive note.

He's already contributed three goals from the opening three games - scoring once and assisting twice, and now took that form onto the international stage too with a stellar performance.

The 'Little Magician' was heavily involved in the proceedings throughout, directly running at defenders and linking up brilliantly with Neymar and Firmino as Brazil ran riot.

After forcing an own goal from Jose Carrasco in the second half with a sublime cross, he scored from a rare headed finish for Brazil in the 73rd minute to put the final nail in Bolivia's coffin.

#3. Bolivia's man-marking was horrendous

Bolivia were toothless in the attack, but equally listless in defense
Bolivia were toothless in the attack, but equally listless in defense

Arguably the weakest side in the CONMEBOL zone, Bolivia, who haven't finished above eighth in any of the World Cup qualifying campaign this century, have also consistently leaked the most goals among all South American teams.

Looking at this game, it isn't surprising to see why. La Verde, despite spending a vast majority of the match in their own half, offered little resistance at the back.

There were plenty of gaps for the Brazilians to exploit, while their man-marking was poor too. So many crosses went into the box unchallenged, landing safely on to the path of the targets.

The Bolivian defenders couldn't care to even slide into a tackle or leap to win aerial duels - Marquinhos and Coutinho's headed goals were a case in point, while the likes of Danilo, Douglas Luiz, and Neymar were mostly allowed a free run on the flanks.

On this evidence, it's hard not to fell that the Greens are going to finish at the bottom once again.

#2. Neymar, the creative genius

Neymar was at his ingenious best today
Neymar was at his ingenious best today

Neymar put up a scintillating performance without scoring, taking up a more creative role on the day and letting the likes of Firmino and Coutinho to shine.

He made two assissts and created several chances. The PSG superstar's relentless runs down the flanks were too hot for Bolivia to handle, whilst he also dismantled the visitors' defense with a quick through-ball for Lodi to set up Marquinhos for the opener.

Neymar couldn't find that one goal which would've taken him level with Ronaldo's tally of 71 for the Selecao, but that did little to eclipse an excellent showing today from the star despite complaints of back pains just hours before the kick off.

#1. Lodi and Danilo - An exciting partnership in the making?

Lodi, along with Danilo, added an extra-edge to Brazil's attack
Lodi, along with Danilo, added an extra-edge to Brazil's attack

Brazil fullbacks Danilo and Renan Lodi were both in inspired form on the night and made two assists combined.

While the Juventus star wreaked havoc on the right flank with his link-up play and distribution, his Atletico counterpart on the left was constantly stationed near the attacking third, working in sync with Neymar and Luiz to get the ball into dangerous areas.

They pegged Bolivia back in their own half, but the visitors couldn't clamp down on their movements either as both Danilo and Lodi added a new dimension to Brazil's attack. Could this flourish into another exciting full-back partnership?

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Edited by S Chowdhury