Neymar's second-half goal gave Brazil a 2-1 victory over Colombia on Tuesday as the former world champions registered their second consecutive win to take the second place in the South America qualifying group for Russia 2018.
Published : 07 Sep 2016, 09:45 AM
The home side got the perfect start after just 80 seconds when Miranda rose to head home a corner and score his first goal in 33 appearances for the national side.
James Rodriguez floated in a free kick from 35 yards out and Brazilian defender Marquinhos headed the ball into his own net.
Neymar took a pass just inside the box with 73 minutes gone and his angled drive was well placed into the far corner to beat Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina.
The result in the humid heat of Manaus lifts Brazil to 15 points, ahead of Argentina, who came from behind to draw 2-2 against bottom-placed team Venezuela, on goal difference.
Colombia sit two points behind them in fourth place in the 10-team South American group.
Chile could only draw 0-0 with Bolivia and sit in seventh place in the 10-team table.
The top four qualify automatically for Russia 2018 and the fifth place side goes into an intercontinental play off.