Neymar ponders the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune after getting an elbow in the face in Brazil’s 5 – 0 win over Bolivia.On the plus side – he scored his 300th career goal in the game.
Bolivia for their part had not won a qualifier away from home for 23 years and they did not win this one either.
They lost horribly.
Brazil’s new coach Tite has certainly brought about a brilliant turnaround in his team’s fortunes.
Before he took over, Brazil wasn’t even among the top four positions in South America’s qualifying standings – each of which is worth an automatic place at the World Cup in Russia. After victories over Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia, Brazil is second in the table with 18 points, one behind leaders Uruguay. Bolivia is 9th with seven points.If Brazil beats Venezuela away and Uruguay fails to win at Colombia next week Brazil will take pole position in the group.
That’s pretty darn good for team that was worried a little while ago that they might have to face the ultimate ingnominy of not qualifying at all.
Highlights ..