Neymar leads the charge to berth in finals

SAO PAULO - Less than three years after the most humiliating loss of its proud soccer history, a resurgent Brazil on Tuesday became the first team to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.

With a convincing 3-0 victory over Paraguay and results going its way elsewhere, the Brazilians booked their place at next year's finals.

Not bad for a squad filled with the same written-off players who were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in the 2014 World Cup semifinal.

The surprising appointment of Dunga as head coach after Brazil lost its home World Cup distanced many fans. And frustration grew after a group-stage elimination in the 2015 Copa America, which popularized a new saying in the everyday Brazilian lexicon: "Every day is a new 7-1."

Elimination to Paraguay at Copa America Centenario in the United States in 2016 ended Dunga's run at the helm.

Brazil's soccer confederation didn't need merely a successor for Dunga - it needed a national hero.

The most popular choice was Corinthians coach Tite, who was overlooked after the 2014 World Cup debacle.

Tite was not in charge of the Brazil team that won gold at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, thanks to Neymar's return to form, but his advice was surely heeded. Players said that title helped restore their confidence.

When World Cup qualifiers resumed in September last year, Tite's team was ready to dominate.

A 3-0 win in Ecuador was followed by a 2-1 home victory over Colombia that restored yet more of the Brazilian public's faith.

With the 3-0 victory over Argentina in the same stadium where Brazil had been humiliated by Germany, the coach's reputation was enhanced.

Results and style have become so impressive that Brazil secured one of the top four automatic South American qualifying spots with four matches to spare.

It has become a team to fear again, as adversaries such as Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez acknowledged. When Tite took over, Brazil was sixth in the standings.

Now, the coach who made the contemporary Brazil team more like the Brazil of old is ready to quaff a few cocktails in celebration.

"When I look at my family - the players - and when we talk to the fans and see how happy they are, that's when you think 'I'm part of something very special,'" Tite said after Brazil's qualification was confirmed.

"Thank you, my good God. I will have a caipirinha this big," the coach said, indicating an extra-large glass with his hands.

Brazil no longer depends entirely on Neymar, while the injury absence of teenage target man Gabriel Jesus has dried up its goals.

Its strong defense has conceded only two goals in eight matches. There are still weaknesses, including a lack of experience for the coach against teams from outside South America and the corruption scandals that affect its football confederation.

But the momentum is clearly with the Samba Boys again.

"Everything changed," Real Madrid winger Marcelo said. "You can see the atmosphere, how much the players are giving. Everyone is working hard in each training, giving our lives."

Under the new management, Brazil won eight straight matches and secured 24 of its 33 points. Second-place Colombia is a long way behind the leader, with 24 points.

Neymar is also a noticeably more mature character on the pitch, as witnessed by one telling tackle during the 4-1 thumping of Uruguay last Thursday.

Before scoring Brazil's third, the Barcelona star could have hit the deck in a challenge with Sebastian Coates, who had already been booked. However, Neymar stayed on his feet to net the best goal of the night.

"There were many fouls on me," Neymar said of the Paraguay defense.

"But I don't care anymore. They can hit me as much as they want. It is the only way they will stop me."

Some of the veterans of that 7-1 loss to Germany are key to Brazil's success too - notably, wingers Dani Alves and Marcelo and midfielder Paulinho.

"We are just getting started," said Paulinho, of Guangzhou Evergrande. "Adversaries better watch out because Brazil is coming with it all."

Associated Press