Carlos Lampe the hero as Brazil draw vs. Bolivia in La Paz

Brazil and Bolivia played an entertaining 0-0 draw in a game that did nothing to change either side's World Cup fate on Thursday.

With Brazil already qualified for Russia, Tite played one of his strongest lineups in the altitude of La Paz, with Alex Sandro taking the place of the injured Marcelo at left-back and Thiago Silva being favoured over Marquinhos to partner Miranda in the middle of defence the only notable changes.

When the game began, it was all Brazil, but heroics from Bolivia keeper Carlos Lampe ensured the score would remain goalless after full-time.

Neymar was the first to test Lampe after 25 minutes with a fine, low curled effort that the Bolivian did well to get down and keep out.

Silva limped off for PSG teammate Marquinhos with an undisclosed injury just before the half-hour mark. And Neymar couldn't convert a clear chance four minutes later, pouncing on a disputed ball after a blocked long kick but Lampe did well to keep his shot from an angle out.

Lampe did even better six minutes later. Gabriel Jesus saw a speculative cross roll through a number of players before finding him all alone at the far post, but the Man City man inexplicably shot directly at the diving Lampe to keep the score 0-0.

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And Brazil were unbelievably denied again not long after. Neymar collected a through ball with only Lampe to beat, but his left-footed shot after rounding the keeper was cleared off the line by defender Juan Gabriel Valverde, only for the ball to return to the former Barcelona star and see Valverde save a second effort at a gaping goal from bulging the net.

Bolivia finally managed their first real threat in stoppage time -- Diego Bejarano's lashed shot from outside of the box beating Alisson before hitting the underside of the crossbar and bouncing back into play.

And Lampe again played the hero seconds after the restart, touching Philippe Coutinho's leaping flick from close range onto the post after a fine chip into the box from Neymar.

A poor Coutinho was removed for Willian with less than 30 minutes remaining as Tite pushed for the elusive opener.

Neymar won a free kick at the edge of the box shortly after, but his curling shot stayed well above the crossbar and away from danger.

Bolivian fans found their voice around the 70th minute as the home side looked increasingly like scratching out a rare result against the five-time champions as the effects of the altitude began to weigh on the visitors. 

Lampe came to the rescue seven minutes from the end, saving Gabriel's point-blank header after finding space behind the defence.

The draw marks just the second in World Cup qualifying under Tite and second straight such result for the Brazilians, who still sit atop the South American table.

The point gives ninth-placed Bolivia 14 points from 17 matches.