Brazil started the qualifying phase for the 2022 World Cup in an excellent way on Friday evening local time. In the Neo Química Arena in Sao Paulo, the team of national coach Tite was no less than 5-0 too strong for Bolivia, which played most of the match in its own half and rarely caused danger. It was Brazil’s first international match since the 3-0 victory in November 2019 in the exhibition match against South Korea.

Neymar did not score in the home of Corinthians, but the attacker grew into one of the stars in yet another international number 102. Brazil could have scored twice in the first three minutes: Everton and Marquinhos, however, left good chances for an opening goal. After sixteen minutes of play, however, it was a hit when Marquinhos headed a Danilo cross behind Carlos Lampre.

Fifteen minutes later, the Tite team doubled the advantageous margin when Renan Lodi was able to make a rush unhindered and Roberto Firmino simply made his first of the evening from close range: 2-0. Four minutes after the interruption, the Liverpudlian also for the third hit of o Seleção, this time on a pass by Neymar: 3-0.

Bolivia, which had won only five of the previous matches with Brazil, could only assert itself in the fiftieth minute. Weverton, Alisson’s replacement, however, turned Bruno Miranda’s shot back. An own goal by José Carrasco and a goal by Philippe Coutinho, on a pass from Neymar, resulted in a final score of 5-0 in a rainy Sao Paulo. Brazil will play against Peru on Tuesday; Bolivia meets Argentina the same day.

It was only the first time for Firmino that he scored twice in an international match. After Friday evening, the counter is at 15 goals in 45 international matches. “It was not the Firmino of Liverpool tonight. He was more of a Firmino who waited and did not leave the penalty area to be able to shoot at goal ”, Tite reacted afterwards. “He has scored two goals and he could have scored two more.”