Brazil Becomes First Country To Qualify For Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup After Hammering Paraguay 2-0

The Brazilian national football team has become the first side to seal their place at the World Cup finals in Russia in 2018.

Their 3-0 win over Paraguay, along with defeats for Argentina and Uruguay, means they cannot finish lower than fourth in South American qualifying.

The Selecao of Brazil

Liverpool forward Philippe Coutinho, Barcelona striker Neymar and Real Madrid's Marcelo scored Brazil's goals.

Paraguay, meanwhile, find themselves five points off the top four with only four games remaining.

Two-time World Cup winners Argentina face a battle to qualify for Russia with their 2-0 defeat to Bolivia leaving them fifth, a point behind Chile.

Players celebrating the qualification

They will have to do so without forward Lionel Messi, who has been banned for four international matches for directing "insulting words" at an assistant referee during last Thursday's 1-0 win over Chile.

Uruguay, who were beaten 2-1 by Peru in Lima on Tuesday, are third.

The team that finishes fifth will face the winners of the Oceania group in a two-legged play-off.

Neymar also missed a penalty as his side moved nine points clear of second-placed Colombia.
It is Brazil's eighth straight win under coach Tite.

"Less than a year ago, Brazil were struggling badly in World Cup qualification," South American football expert Tim Vickery told BBC Radio 5 live.

"With a third of the campaign gone they were down in sixth in South America's table and in danger of missing out on Russia 2018.

"What a difference a coach makes. Out went the snarling Dunga and in came Tite - charismatic and intelligent - and he made an immediate impact.

"His side have put together eight consecutive wins, scoring 24 goals and conceding just two.

"The likes of Neymar and Philippe Coutinho are playing the kind of stylish brand of football that, historically, has made so many fall in love with that famous yellow shirt.

"They now just need to guard against an excess of euphoria - a lovely problem to have for a proud footballing nation, who just a few months ago were fretting about the prospect of missing out on a World Cup."

Source: BBC

Comments

Has Gambling Improved The Economic Fortune Of Nigerians?

Gambling involves staking a certain amount of money or possession in the hope of winning something bigger or in multiples. Gambling entails having an optimistic belief that giving out something will bring back a higher return. Gambling means a positive or negative expectation from an input done by the gambler. A gambler gambles away some or all of his money in expectation of winning what will change his or her life financially at most times. Gambling attracts all manners of characters whose sole aim is a better economic fortune. Gambling is not prevalent not just in the Western World but in African countries such as Nigeria. Most non gamblers opine that gambling has done more damage to the economic fortunes of Nigerians and by extension the gamblers themselves. Both genders (male and female) in Nigeria are involved in gambling, however, more males are known to as notorious gambling addicts. One of the most popular gambling locations where gamblers are seen daily is at Ojuelegba, Lagos

Doyin Okupe's Resignation: Peter Obi's Gain Or Loss?

Will Dr Doyin Okupe's resignation negatively affect the presidential ambition and campaign of Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi is a question on the lips of some Nigerians. On Tuesday, December 20, the erstwhile director general of the ObiDatti 2023 presidential campaign organisation, Dr Doyin Okupe threw in the towel. Dr Doyin Okupe before his resignation, had a day earlier been in an Abuja Court to answer to a case of money laundering leveled against him. Dr Okupe, one time PDP stalwart and a former media aide to one time President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, was convicted for money laundering. Following Okupe's conviction and the comments and reactions that followed by members of the general public, the Labour Party campaign DG had to tender his resignation letter, which he directly addressed to Mr Peter Obi. Dr Doyin Okupe in white and his lawyers A good number of political observers have stated that the resignation and indictment of Okupe will not do the

7 Greatest Sportsmen Of All Time

There are often arguments and counterarguments on who the 7 greatest sportsmen of all time are. Some sports historians, analysts, and supporters pick their own choices not necessarily on facts but emotions. In picking the 7 greatest sportsmen of all time, I briefly checked their achievements not just in their specific fields but also their impact outside the world of sports. 1. Boxing legend, Muhammad Ali has been crowned the best sports athlete of all time in a star-studded list. The 'Greatest' is widely considered the best boxer in history and arguably the most iconic sports star of the 20th century. Ali was not just a beauty to watch in the boxing ring, the greatest pugilist positively influenced decisions in many countries globally. 2. Pele is widely picked as the winner, and number one football player in history in all criteria. His three-time World Cup-winning feat, from four World Cup appearances, is unlikely to be matched. Pele scored a Guinness World Record of 1279

Naijaloveinfo

Search This Blog