Brazil is celebrating as the first South American team to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar — with several matches in hand and more than a year before the tournament begins in Qatar.
South American soccer body CONMEBOL says Brazil as the first team of the region to qualify, with 11 wins in 12 matches. The latest came Thursday night in Sao Paulo, with Lucas Paquetá scoring the only goal in the 72nd minute in a 1-0 win over Colombia.
The Seleção is 18 points ahead of fourth-place
Chile, which can add only 15 points from its five remaining matches.
The top four teams in South America earn direct entry to the World Cup.
“This is the result of great work we started way back,” Paquetá said after the match in Sao Paulo which provided few opportunities for both teams.
“I cried of happiness (after scoring) because of this moment I am living at the national team and at my club Lyon. This came from a lot of joy, joy for this work well done,” Paquetá added.