Brazil first team to qualify for 2018 world cup

Brazil became the first nation to qualify for next year's World Cup in Russia with a dominant 3-0 win over Paraguay. Philippe Coutinho curled in a low opener and Neymar capped an eventful evening with a goal in the second half before Marcelo added a late third.

Neymar, captaining the side, missed a penalty and saw an effort chalked off for off-side on an evening when he was routinely on the end of rough treatment from the Paraguay defenders. Their 10th win of the qualifying programme takes Brazil nine points clear at the top of the South American standings and coupled with Uruguay's defeat to Peru sealed their place in Russia next summer.

Paraguay, meanwhile, now find themselves five points off the top four with only four games remaining after being outclassed in Sao Paolo.