Two first-half goals in Recife are more than enough for a limited Peru side. Neymar overtakes Romário as Brazil’s top goal scorer in World Cup qualifiers!

Everton Ribeiro netted his 2nd goal in 2 games to help Brazil on their way to a 2-0 win over Peru in a World Cup qualifier in Recife on Friday. The victory puts Brazil on 24 points at the top of the South American qualifying group, 6 clear of Argentina, who beat Bolivia 3-0 on Thursday.

Ribeiro, who also grabbed the only goal of the game as Brazil beat Chile last week, side-footed home after 15 minutes following a wide run from Neymar. The referee, who seemed to have a very keen desire to let the game flow, allowed the goal to stand, despite a possible Neymar foul on Peru’s right-back Marcos López.

Ribeiro almost got his 2nd of the match just before the half-time break, but his shot was saved. It didn’t stop Brazil though, as Pedro Gallese in the Peru goal fumbled and Neymar tapped home the easiest of rebounds to make it 2-0. His 12th strike breaks Romário’s previous record of 11 goals in World Cup qualification.

It was the 9th consecutive home qualifier in which Brazil haven’t conceded a goal and their 8th win from 8 Qatar 2022 qualifiers. Brazil never looked troubled and never had to break a sweat against a weak Peru side that had never won against them in 12 previous World Cup qualifiers.

The top 4 in the 10-team group qualify automatically for the finals and the 5th-placed side goes into an inter-regional playoff. Uruguay and Ecuador currently complete the top 4 and Colombia sit in 5th place.