RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Goals from either side of halftime from Roberto Firmino helped Brazil to a 5-0 defeat of Bolivia in their opening 2022 World Cup qualifier here on Friday.
It took the five-time world champions just 16 minutes to find the target, with Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos meeting a curling Danilo cross with a powerful header from the edge of the six-yard box.
Firmino doubled the hosts' lead by sliding home from close range after being fed by Atletico Madrid left-back Renan Lodi.
The Liverpool forward struck again just after the interval when he slotted a close-range shot past Carlos Lampe following Neymar's slide-rule pass.
Bolivia couldn't take a trick and Jose Carrasco gifted Brazil their fourth goal by deflecting a Philippe Coutinho cross into his own net.
The diminutive Coutinho then fired in a rare headed finish when he leaped higher than two Bolivia defenders after another Neymar cross from the left side of the penalty area.
Brazil's next qualifier will be against Peru in Lima on Tuesday while Bolivia hosts Argentina in La Paz on the same day. Enditem
