Brazil beats Colombia 1-0 to qualify for 2022 World Cup

Brazil is the first South American team to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar — with several matches in hand and more than a year before the tournament begins in Qatar.

Lucas Paqueta scored Brazil’s only goal in the 72nd minute in a 1-0 win over Colombia, putting the Selecao 18 points ahead of fourth-place Chile, which can add only 15 points from its five remaining matches.

Sixth-place Uruguay can still total Brazil’s 34 points, but it will face Chile in the last round of qualifying, which makes it mathematically impossible for both of them to overtake the leader.

The top four teams in South America earn direct entry to the World Cup.