Soccer-Brazil score twice in first half to beat Peru 2-0

© Reuters/RICARDO MORAES World Cup – South American Qualifiers – Brazil v Peru

RECIFE, Brazil (Reuters) -Everton Ribeiro got his second goal in two games to help Brazil on their way to a 2-0 win over Peru in a World Cup qualifier in Recife on Thursday.

© Reuters/RICARDO MORAES World Cup – South American Qualifiers – Brazil v Peru

Ribeiro, who last week got the only goal of the game as Brazil beat Chile, side-footed home after 15 minutes following good work from Neymar.

He almost got his second of the match five minutes before halftime but his shot was saved and Neymar tapped home the rebound to make it 2-0.

Brazil were missing nine players who were not released by their Premier League clubs but they were still too strong for opponents who had never beaten them in 12 previous World Cup qualifying matches.

© Reuters/RICARDO MORAES World Cup – South American Qualifiers – Brazil v Peru

It was the ninth home qualifier in a row where Brazil have kept a clean sheet, and their eighth win from eight Qatar 2022 qualifiers.

“These three games we lacked a lot of players that meant others had a chance and they stepped up,” said captain Casemiro. “I think we are on the right track.

© Reuters/RICARDO MORAES World Cup – South American Qualifiers – Brazil v Peru

“We’ve won eight in a row, that’s a record and though we are not mathematically there yet we are thinking about the World Cup.”

© Reuters/RICARDO MORAES World Cup – South American Qualifiers – Brazil v Peru

The victory puts Brazil on 24 points at the top of the South American qualifying group, six ahead of Argentina, who beat Bolivia 3-0 on Thursday.

The top four in the 10-team group qualify automatically for the finals and the fifth-placed side goes into an inter-regional playoff. (Reuters)