Chelsea winger Willian
scored after 40 seconds and added a second just before the break as
Brazil beat Venezuela 3-1 to pocket their first points in South American
qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup.
After their 2-0 defeat to Chile last week, Brazil, again
without the suspended Neymar, raced out of the blocks at the Castelao in
Fortaleza and Willian slotted home between Velezuela goalkeeper Alain
Baroja and his near post.
Three minutes before halftime the midfielder doubled
Brazil's lead. Defender Filipe Luis crossed the ball, Oscar let it run
and Willian tucked it away.
Venezuela pulled one back in the 64th minute when Christian Santos
turned the ball into the net at a corner but striker Ricardo Oliveira
restored Brazil's two-goal cushion nine minutes later, ghosting in
behind defender Fernando Amorebieta and stooping to head past Baroja.
It was a timely win for Dunga's Brazil ahead of their visit to Buenos
Aires next month to play arch-rivals Argentina, who have yet to score
in two games.
The 2014 World Cup finalists were stunned 2-0 by Ecuador in their opener and held 0-0 in Paraguay on Tuesday.