Brazil's Estevao celebrates scoring REUTERS/Sergio Moraes TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Brazil's Estevao celebrates scoring REUTERS/Sergio Moraes TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Alex Young
Evening Standard
Today at 21:40
Estevao scored his first senior goal for Brazil on Thursday as the young star’s stunning rise to prominence continued.
The Chelsea teenager was the most popular player inside the Maracana, getting the loudest cheer when the line-ups were announced, and produced another eye-catching display.
New head coach Carlo Ancelotti lined his team up in an aggressive 4-2-4 formation, which saw Estevao open the scoring.
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro thought he had headed Brazil in front after just five minutes, only for an offside flag to cut short celebrations.
Brazil continued to press but had to wait until the 38th minute to take the lead with an acrobatic effort from Estevao after Raphina's original effort was blocked.
Chilean defender Guillermo Maripan was shown a red card before the break for a reckless challenge, but it was downgraded to a yellow after a VAR review.
The hosts dominated possession against the bottom team in South American World Cup qualifying, but had to wait until the final 20 minutes before wrapping up victory.
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who on Wednesday learned the Football Association would not be appealing an independent commission's decision to clear him of four charges of spot-fixing, came on as a substitute after 71 minutes and doubled the advantage within a minute.
A counterattack ended with Luiz Henrique crossing for Paqueta to head home, Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes rolling the ball into an empty net four minutes later after Henrique's effort had been turned onto the bar.
Estevao was named man of the match for his performance. The win lifts Brazil into second place in qualifying with just Wednesday's trip to Bolivia remaining.