Gabriel Jesus scores two as Brazil beat Ecuador 3-0
Gabriel Jesus scored twice in his debut and Neymar scored one as Brazil beat Ecuador 3-0 on Thursday and making it a perfect start for new coach Tite in his first match in charge.
Neymar broke through with a penalty in the 72nd minute. Gabriel Jesus then scored in the 87th, and got another in stoppage time.
Neymar’s penalty came after Gabriel Jesus, better known as “Gabigol”, was tripped in the area by Ecuador keeper Alexander Dominguez. Gabigol then put on his own show, chipping in a back-heel shot from close range and then hammering in an 18-meter drive.
“It couldn’t have started better,” the 19-year-old said. “Tite showed confidence in me. I’m really happy. Not just scoring, but playing with the team.”
It’s been a good few weeks for Gabigol, scoring two goals in his first match with the senior team to go with an Olympic gold medal from Brazil’s win over Germany on penalties in the final at the Maracana.
It was a critical victory for the Brazilians. They survived in the thin air of Quito (2,850 meters/9,350 feet), and got a victory for new coach Adenor Leonardo Bacchi — known universally as Tite (pronounced CHI-che).
Neymar debuted a new haircut with the national team — shaved close on the side and bleached on top.
He took over when Dunga was fired in June after Brazil failed to reach the knockout stage of the Copa America.
Ecuador played with 10 men after Juan Carlos Paredes was sent off the 75th for second yellow card.
Brazil improved to 12 points in seven games, its first victory after draws in the last two matches under Dunga.
Ecuador stayed on 13 points.
ARGENTINA 1-0 URUGUAY
Lionel Messi scored in his return from international retirement as 10-man Argentina defeated Uruguay 1-0 in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying action on Thursday. Lionel Messi scored in the 43rd minute on a bouncing shot, spinning and shooting off his left foot from 18 meters (yards) before the ball took a deflection off a Uruguay defender’s leg. Two minutes later Argentina’s went down to 10 men when Paulo Dybala received his second yellow card. Playing in the Andean city of Mendoza, Argentina improved to 14 points to stay top of South American qualifying. Uruguay stayed on 13.
BOLIVIA 2-0 PERU
Bolivia maintained their unbeaten record against Peru in La Paz with a 2-0 victory at the Estadio Hernando Siles. Pablo Escobar opened the scoring seven minutes before the break and Ronald Raldes headed in an 88th minute cross to give the seventh-placed Bolivians the much-needed victory. Bolivia has six points and Peru is near the bottom with four.
COLOMBIA 2-0 VENEZUELA
James Rodriguez’s goal and assist handed Colombia their third consecutive victory of the campaign with a 2-0 defeat of Venezuela in Barranquilla. The Real Madrid star opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time — receiving a pass in the box from Carlos Bacca, hesitating and calmly slotting past Venezuela goalkeeper Daniel Hernandez with his right foot. James then set up Colombia’s second nine minutes from time, cutting back onto his left foot and lofting a perfectly-weighted ball for Macnelly Torres finish at the far post. The victory gives Colombia, who began the day in fifth place, 13 points in qualifying this cycle.
PARAGUAY 2-1 CHILE
Paraguay stun South American champions Chile 2-1 in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.A sixth-minute strike from Óscar Romero was followed up three minutes later by a Paulo Da Silva goal to give the home side an early lead. Arturo Vidal pulled a goal back nine minutes before the break, but Paraguay held on against the defending Copa America champions — who saw Gary Medel sent off in second-half stoppage time — for the surprising win.
