Paqueta “cried for joy” after Brazil qualifying goal

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It’s made for Brazil! La Seleçao validated their ticket to the World Cup in Qatar by beating Colombia 1-0 on Thursday in Sao Paulo, thanks to a goal from Paqueta on a pass from Neymar. Qualifying five days from the end rewards an almost perfect course for the five-time world champions, with 11 wins in 12 matches, 27 goals scored and only four conceded.

A team that is scary again

The only nation to have played in all editions of the tournament, Brazil joins three other selections already qualified for the 2022 World Cup, Germany, Denmark and Qatar, the host country. “This qualification is the result of all the efforts made for a long time. I cried with joy after the goal because I am very happy to experience these moments in the Brazilian jersey and with Olympique Lyonnais, ”Paqueta said on TV Globo after the match.

In front of their home crowd, the Brazilians had to battle to find the loophole against valiant Colombians who had kept their clean sheet in the last three meetings, including the first leg against Tite’s men a month ago, in Barranquilla. Struggling before the break, Brazil showed a better face in the second half thanks to the entry of Vinicius Junior. Antony and Matheus Cunha also made the difference as soon as they entered the field, with a cross from the first on the head of the second (68th).

“We needed to have him at his post”

But it was Paqueta who finally freed Brazil. Marquinhos recovered a bad clearance and immediately served Neymar, who put the Lyonnais in orbit with a sublime pass without control (71st). The action continued with a touch of the ball, Paqueta shooting Ospina with a cross shot in the box (71st). The Lyon player drew praise from his coach at a press conference:

“When I gave him a hug, I said, ‘you are capable of playing on the left, in the middle of the field’. And I joked, because sometimes he also plays as a number 9 in his team, right? He told me that wherever I needed him he would play. But we needed to have him at his post, even if he is versatile yes, and above all decisive of course. “


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