SAO PAULO, Nov 12, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - Lucas Paqueta's instinctive strike gave
Brazil a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Colombia on Thursday to book their
place at Qatar 2022.

  The five-time world champions join the hosts and Europeans Germany and
Denmark as early qualifiers for next year's finals.

  The have produced a near perfect qualifying campaign, winning 11 of 12
matches -- their only blemish a goalless draw in Colombia last month -- to
qualify with six games to spare.

  "This is the fruit of the work we've been building for some time," said the
match-winner.

  "Now I have to keep working hard to find my space" in the World Cup squad,
he added.

  Brazil were made to graft as Colombia had the better of the first half, but
an attacking tactical switch from coach Tite at half-time paid dividends as
the Selecao dominated after the break.

  Colombia's defeat saw them drop out of the four automatic qualifying
positions in the single South American group as Chile overtook them after a
third successive win, 1-0 away to Paraguay.

  Wilmar Barrios had the first chance of the match, lashing a half volley
narrowly over the bar as Colombia made a bright start.

  A typically muscular run into the box by Duvan Zapata saw him get off a
shot that flashed past the post.

  Colombia were proving tough opponents and creating the clearer chances.

  William Tesillo should have done much better at the back post when picked
out by Juan Cuadrado's deep cross but headed into a crowd of players.

  Brazil struggled to create any notable chances with Paqueta's shot from
outside the box easily gathered by David Ospina and Neymar's free-kick
blocked by the wall.

  Colombia were always dangerous on the break and Luis Diaz whipped an effort
from outside the box narrowly wide, but their failure to test Alisson Becker
in the Brazil goal was indicative of a team that came into the match on the
back of three successive goalless draws.

  Brazil were unable to get behind Colombia's organized defense and a
deflected cross from full-back Danilo that hit the side-netting was as close
as they came until Marquinhos headed inches off target from a corner in first
half stoppage time.

  - Slick winner -

  Tite was unimpressed with what he saw in the first half and hooked much-
maligned Manchester United midfielder Fred for Real Madrid's exciting winger
Vinicius Junior.

  They were on the front foot with Gabriel Jesus, who hasn't scored for
Brazil in 17 matches, testing Ospina with a low effort, before the goalkeeper
then tipped a Neymar free-kick around the post.

  Brazil were turning the screw and substitute Matheus Cunha should have done
better with a header from eight yards that he sent over.

  When the goal came on 72 minutes it was beautifully orchestrated as
Marquinhos fired a pass from halfway into Neymar, whose first-time ball found
Paqueta to hit an instant shot under pressure from two defenders that seemed
to catch out Ospina.

  Vinicius should have sealed the win two minutes from time but stumbled as
he rounded Ospina, who also saved from Antony, another substitute, in injury
time.

  A month ago, Chile's hopes of reaching Qatar appeared in tatters after a 2-
0 defeat to Peru, but three straight wins have resurrected their chances.

  An own goal from goalkeeper Antony Silva on 56 minutes gave them a 1-0
victory away to Paraguay, who they also beat last month to start their fine
run.

  It was a third straight defeat and fourth match in a row without a goal for
Paraguay, who last month replaced coach Eduardo Berizzo with Guillermo
Schelotto, and whose hopes are rapidly fading.

  Defender Piero Hincapie scored the only goal of the game on 41 minutes to
give Ecuador a 1-0 win over rock-bottom Venezuela and cement their grip on
third place.