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Brazil continued their winning run in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a 2-0 defeat of Paraguay.
Neymar and Lucas Paqueta were on target for the Selecao, who're now six points clear at the top of the CONMEBOL group, after rivals Argentina drew earlier in the day.
The PSG star opened the scoring for the hosts just four minutes into the match by latching onto a rickety pass from Gabriel Jesus from close range, before substitute Paqueta added to the scoreline with a stoppage-time goal.
Although the Selecao were in control of the game in the opening half, it was a more even affair following the interval, but La Albirroja couldn't see the light of the day and lost for the first time in the qualifiers.
Here are the major talking points from the match:
#1 Neymar can't and won't be stopped
No matter which way you slice it, there's no denying that Neymar has been in a league of his own in the qualifiers. Entering the match, he'd scored four goals and three assists for Brazil in four games - both highest - and now incremented his figures by one in each category.
His strike today was not spectacular, but buried the chance nonetheless, something you'd always expect from him, and then created a lovely chance for Paqueta to finish with a flourish.
The PSG star is shaping up well for the Copa America and will take some stopping from opposition sides. Beware, everyone.
#2 Should Paraguay have been handed a penalty?
There was a tiny spot of controversy in the first-half when Paraguay felt they should've been awarded a penalty for a handball by Brazil's Alex Sandro, but the referee waved away the shouts and signaled the match to go on.
Replays showed Omar Alderete's header came off the defender's upper arm, which is technically not a handball, and hence was the right decision. But such incidents have led to a penalty in many other games before.
#3 Fred or Paqueta - new selection conundrum for Tite
Fred started the match over Lucas Paqueta and turned in his best performance for Brazil in a while. However, the Manchester United star was taken off at half-time for the booking he received earlier on, with Paqueta replacing him in midfield and netting a late goal.
While the Lyon star, along with Casemiro beside him, dropped back to make life difficult for Paraguay, his attacking instincts suggest he could pop up inside the box and score an odd goal or two.
Fred, on the other hand, was crucial to regaining possession and generally dictating Brazil's tempo. But he lacks consistency, as seen in the last match to Ecuador when he dropped a stinker.
Tite has a decision to make in this part of the midfield.
#4 Paraguay's attacking flair goes missing again
For the second consecutive game in these qualifiers, Paraguay fired a blank. The visitors were cocooned in their own half in the opening stanza as Brazil pressed high. But even in a more balanced second-half, La Albirroja couldn't find a way past their mighty hosts.
Angel Romero, who's one of the leading scorers so far with four goals, was once again devoid of service for most of the game, leaving him isolated upfront and with nothing to feed on. As a result of their back-to-back goalless stalemates, Eduardo Berizzo's side now have the second-least number of goals in the group.
If they're to return to the World Cup, Paraguay need to find their shooting boots again.
#5 Brazil favorites for Copa America
Even when they took their foot off the pedal in the second-half, Brazil were oddly comfortable and never looked like conceding a goal. Paqueta instead scored a second in stoppage-time as the Selecao extended their winning run in the qualifiers to six games - the only side in the CONMEBOL with a 100% record so far.
That begs the question - are Brazil the favorites for Copa America again? Tite's side aren't perfect by any means, but have shown the caliber to win games even while not playing at their best - a stuff of champions.
Also, with the advantage of playing on home soil and talisman Neymar in top form, the odds are well-placed for Selecao to retain their crown.
