If Thursday’s opening night of South America’s World Cup qualifiers posed the question of how long Argentina can count on Lionel Messi, the round came to a conclusion on Friday with Neymar making a firm declaration that he remains an elite player entitled to dream of a final dash for glory in 2026.
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Neymar had an early penalty saved, and picked up a yellow card, but was at the heart of almost everything that Brazil produced in an attractive 5-1 win at home to Bolívia. He was both bow and arrow, making the play from his position behind the front three, and posing a threat to the goal. Twice he swept home balls played in from the right, and his two goals take him above Pelé as Brazil’s all-time top scorer — which will seem like sacrilege to some, but surely underlines the point that he is a remarkable talent.
True, there are stiffer challenges than Bolivia at home — on paper the easiest of all the 18 rounds in this qualification campaign. Bolivia were the first team to beat Brazil in World Cup qualification, and have beaten them more times than any other opponent. But always at home, at the extreme altitude of La Paz. Away, especially in the tropical heat of Belem — where it was so hot that drinks breaks were needed in both halves — they never had a chance.
Under coach Gustavo Costas, Bolivia had put together some encouraging results in warmup friendlies. But the coach complained about his side’s problems in retaining the ball, with the consequence that they were never able to rest. This was to prove a fatal flaw against a hungry Brazil side playing their first match under new coach Fernando Diniz.
Supposedly keeping the seat warm until Carlo Ancelotti turns up in the middle of next year, Diniz could enjoy himself against Bolivia with better resources at his disposal than he has ever had in his coaching career. He consistently looks to create overloads, bringing much of the team over to one half of the field, and then switching play to the other flank. And with Neymar to do the switching, and players of the calibre of Rodrygo and Raphinha, Bolivia were torn apart time and time again.
The wingers scored the first three, Raphinha shooting home either side of a Rodrygo double. And then, to his great joy, Neymar added the last two. The only negative mark for the Brazil attack went to centre forward Richarlison, who looks short of form, confidence and luck. Goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra produced a fine save to block one of his headers, and thereafter his attempts to get on the scoresheet were increasingly desperate. The Tottenham man cut a sad figure on the bench after he was withdrawn.
