Brazil Thrash Argentina

Brazil roared to an impressive CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying 3-0 defeat of Argentina in their first game back at the Mineirao Stadium since falling 7-1 to Germany in the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup.

Given their recent history in the stadium, the hosts started tentatively against their main South American rival as Fernandinho was shown an early yellow card for a foul on Lionel Messi.

And it was Argentina who dominated the early exchanges, with Lucas Biglia forcing a fine stretching save from Alisson off a half-volley from outside of the box on 23 minutes.

But Philippe Coutinho soon had the Mineirao crowd out of their seats with a cracking strike from outside of the box in the 25th. The on-fire Liverpool midfielder received a ball on the left flank, cut inside onto his right foot and blasted his shot past a helpless Sergio Romero to give Brazil a 1-0 lead.

It would take another 20 minutes, but the hosts added their second just before the half to give the 2014 World Cup runners-up all to do in the second period.

And it was Neymar who inflicted the damage — the Barcelona star receiving a slide-rule pass behind the defence from Gabriel Jesus and calmly slotting into Romero’s far corner. The goal marked Neymar’s 50th for his country in just 74 appearances.

Paulinho should have made it 3-0 after the break, however his shot after rounding Romero was easily saved off the line by a back-tracking Pablo Zabaleta.

But the former Tottenham midfielder would indeed grab Brazil’s third just moments later, pouncing onto Renato Augusto’s sliding pull back and firing hard into the net from the middle of the box.

The victory keeps Brazil — energized since new boss Tite’s arrival — atop the CONMEBOL table with 24 points from 11 matches. While Argentina remain in sixth place — one out of a qualifying spot — with 16.