Neymar took a pass just inside the box with 73 minutes gone and his angled drive was well placed into the far corner to beat Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina to equal legend Zico’ goalscoring record. It was the Barcelona forward’s 48th goal in 72 international games as Brazilian beat Colombia in their World Cup qualifying record. The result in the humid heat of Manaus marked the first time that Brazil have won two consecutive games in what has until now been a stuttering qualifying campaign.
“We’ve been very consistent the last two games,” goalkeeper Allison said.
“We’ve become tougher and we deserve congratulations for taking the lead again after the pegged us back. We reacted well.”
The result lifts Brazil to 15 points, ahead of Argentina, who came from behind to draw 2-2 against bottom-placed team Venezuela, on goal difference. Colombia sit two points behind them in fourth place in the 10-team South American group.
Uruguay, who beat Paraguay 4-0 earlier in the evening, top the table with 16 points.
Ecuador remain in fifth after going down 2-1 to Peru in Lima.
A penalty from Christian Cueva for the home side after 20 minutes was cancelled out by Gabriel Achilier 10 minutes later but Renato Tapia got his first international goal 12 minutes from time to give Peru only their second win in eight games.
The top four qualify automatically for Russia 2018 and the fifth place side goes into an intercontinental play off with a team from Oceania.
