Qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia remains a rocky road for Lionel Messi and his Argentina side following their 3-0 humbling at the hands of Brazil.
Picturebook first-half goals from Phillipe Coutinho and Neymar and a second-half effort from Paulinho earned a fifth successive World Cup qualifcation victory, which leaves them top of the group and near certainties for the 2018 tournament.
Hot in footwork and swagger play style, Brazil laid to rest the ghosts of their 2014 World Cup semi-final nightmare in Belo Horizonte.
Even Sergio Aguero, called for from the bench at the interval, was unable to act as Argentina’s saviour, as they remain sixth in the 10-team competition, with the top four making it to Russia automatically and the fifth-placed side having to negotiate a two-legged play-off.
For Brazil’s part, victory over their fierce rivals was their fifth-straight in World Cup qualifying, which has propelled them from potential trouble into the lead of the South American section.
They were slick, clinical and played with passion as they secured an impressive victory which moves them eight points clear of their historic rivals.