SAO PAULO: Carlo Ancelotti’s first win as coach of Brazil saw them secure their place at the World Cup fuinals next year with a 1-0 win against Paraguay. The former Real Madrid boss owed victory to a goal from one of his old boys, Vionicius, from close range in the second half.

The victory, Ancelotti’s first after a 0-0 draw against Ecuador on his debut last week, means Brazil have now qualified for every edition of the World Cup.

Vinicius said: “We needed to win and qualify for the World Cup. Now the coach will have more time to work. Of course today wasn’t one of our best performances, but the important thing is always to win. Now it’s time to celebrate qualifying.”

Elsewhere, World Cup holders Argentina played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Colombia in Buenos Aires.

Liverpool winger Luis Diaz opened the scoring with a fine individual goal, dancing through three defenders before finishing past Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Argentina were reduced to 10 men with 20 minutes remaining when Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a high-boot challenge on Colombia’s Kevin Castano.

But Lionel Messi’s side found an equaliser nine minutes from the end through Lyon’s Thiago Almada, leaving Colombia four points clear of seventh-placed Venezuela.

Ecuador, Argentina’s nearest challengers, booked their spot at next summer’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States after a 0-0 draw away at Peru.

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