Brazil kick-started their South American World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Venezuela as Chile, Ecuador and Uruguay posted their second wins and Argentina gained their first point.
Willian scored twice — in the 37th second and again in 42nd minute as Brazil rebounded from a humbling loss to Chile last Thursday as qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia got underway.
“It was a great game, we could have scored even more goals,” said the Chelsea star, who opened the scoring with a hard shot that Venezuelan goalkeeper Alain Baroja couldn’t control. He doubled the score with another hard shot past Baroja, set up by a scintillating solo run by Filipe luis.
Venezuela responded through Christian Santos in the 64th, but 35-year-old striker Ricardo Oliveira sealed the win for Brazil in the 73rd.
Copa America champions Chile, Ecuador and Uruguay all notched their second victories in as many matches to stand tied on six points apiece.
Chile defeated 10-man Peru 4-3 in lima, Ecuador followed up their shock defeat of Argentina last week with a 2-0 victory over Bolivia in Quito and Uruguay downed Colombia 3-0 in Montevideo.
Argentina, still struggling to shake off the disappointment of losing the Copa America final in July were held to a scoreless draw by Paraguay in Asuncion.
“I am happy with the effort that the players put in. I am unhappy because we needed to win the match,” Argentina coach Gerardo Martino said
Argentina face Brazil next, when qualifying resumes in November.
It’s not clear if Messi will be back from a serious knee injury by then, while Brazil will be able to welcome back the suspended Neymar.