Neymar achieves milestone as Brazil thrash Argentina

Neymar

Neymar scored a milestone goal as Brazil piled the pressure on Argentina in World Cup qualifying with a 3-0 win on Friday morning.

The Barcelona star netted his 50th international goal, to go with efforts from Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho, in the comfortable win.

The result heaps the pressure on Argentina, whose winless run in qualifying extended to four matches.

Edgardo Bauza’s men rarely threatened despite the return of Lionel Messi, who was well contained by Tite’s Brazil.

It means under Tite, Brazil – who are top of CONMEBOL qualifying – have won five out of five.

Coutinho struck with a stunner and Neymar scored just before the break to have Brazil in control, with Paulinho putting the Superclasico to bed just prior to the hour-mark.

They returned to Belo Horizonte for the first time since their embarrassing 7-1 loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-final and Tite started attacking stars Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Coutinho.

Messi made his Argentina return, while Sergio Aguero was left on the bench with Enzo Perez preferred in the starting XI.