Brazil and Neymar outclass Bolivia with dazzling display

AP Images

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Brazil thrashed Bolivia 5-0 in Thursday night's World Cup qualifier in Rio Grande do Norte to continue their impressive start under new coach Tite.

The five-time World Cup winners had the points wrapped up by the break thanks to first-half goals from Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Filipe Luis and Gabriel Jesus, and Roberto Firmino rounded off the scoring 15 minutes from time.

The result marked Tite's third straight win since replacing Dunga at the helm, and kept the Selecao just a point behind CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying leaders Uruguay.

Barcelona forward Neymar opened the scoring after a neat one-two with Jesus in the 11th minute, taking his tally for his country to 49 at the age of just 24.

Liverpool midfielder Coutinho -- handed a starting role ahead of Chelsea's Willian -- prodded home the second goal 15 minutes later.

Atletico Madrid's Filipe Luis fired home a third from Neymar's pass on 39 minutes and 19-year-old Jesus, who will join Manchester City from Palmeiras in January, made it 4-0 a minute before the interval with a tidy chip.

Jesus made way for Firmino midway through the second half and the Liverpool striker needed only eight minutes to make his mark, heading home a 75th-minute corner to complete the rout.