Brazil emerged 3-0 victors over fierce rivals Argentina thanks to a spectacular performance from Philippe Coutinho as the Selecao moved one step further towards qualification while leaving their neighbours in deep trouble.
There has been a lot of debate surrounding Philippe Coutinho’s quality over the last few seasons with many pundits and fans alike appreciating the Brazilian’s talent but slamming him for his lack of consistency. However, his exploits in the 2016-17 season can’t have too many people complaining, to be honest.
Coutinho has been spectacular at club level for Liverpool and he carried his good run of form to Brazil with a superlative performance against the fiercest of rivals in Argentina. The ‘little magician’ opened the scoring on the night for the Selecao with a wonder strike from outside the box in the 25th minute to leave the Albiceleste stunned. Neymar then settled the game with a well taken goal in the 46th minute to leave the 2014 World Cup finalists reeling and flirting with the prospects of elimination. Paulinho then compounded the misery with a 3rd in the 58th minute to send the Brazilian supporters ballistic.
However, the night belonged to Coutinho and fans all across the world, especially those in Brazil and in Merseyside, celebrated a genuinely world-class talent in the 24-year-old.
It’s time to accept that Coutinho is bonafide world class ffs.
— MC (@mediocentroEN) November 11, 2016
COUTINHO HOLY SHIT
— Mexican GBE Leader (@vuhsace) November 11, 2016
A Coutinho goal worthy of accompanying @RayHudson Orgasm
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) November 11, 2016
ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE BY COUTINHO
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats2) November 11, 2016
Coutinho money from outside the box. What else is new? Brazil 1, Argentina 0. Ray Hudson losing it.
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) November 11, 2016
Coutinho > Messi
— Olé do Brasil (@Oledobrasil) November 11, 2016
Coutinho is World Class.
— 1st (@AnfieldRd96) November 11, 2016
And Coutinho’s card has 74 shooting in FIFA LMAOO
— Mexican GBE Leader (@vuhsace) November 11, 2016
Forget the finish, superb intelligence by Coutinho to leave that RW to link up with Neymar. Reaching a new level.
— RG⁶ (@registability) November 11, 2016
Coutinho is just so good. What a man
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) November 11, 2016
£8.5m for Coutinho is daylight robbery, probably the one good thing to come from the Rodgers reign.
— Mootaz (@Mootaz_LFC) November 11, 2016
The longer Coutinho doesn’t sign a new contract the longer I will become mentally unstable.
— The Anfield Chat (@TheAnfieldChat) November 11, 2016
Win the league this season or we lose coutinho, sorry
— Ü (@ThoseScouseLads) November 11, 2016
FT Brazil 3 Argentina 0
Goals from
Neymar
Coutinho
PaulinhoAmazing performance from everyone!
— Brazil Football ?? (@BrazilEdition) November 11, 2016
Coutinho is one of the smartest players in the World. Every move on the pitch by Cou is full of intelligence (and class, of course). Great.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 11, 2016
Coutinho has been lighting things up once again ? pic.twitter.com/N43uwwbrKs
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 11, 2016
Philippe Coutinho has scored 10 goals outside of the box for both club and country in 2016
— LFCTS (@LFCTS) November 11, 2016
Coutinho, Neymar JR, Gabriel Jesus.
Depth:
Douglas Costa, Firmino, Gabigol, Willian etc.
The stage is set for World Cup 2018! pic.twitter.com/eNL6MbY7tS
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats2) November 11, 2016
Coutinho v Payet this season (all comps):
Coutinho-
Games: 14
Goals: 8
Assists 7Payet-
Games: 9
Goals: 1
Assists:4Not even close.
— ㅤ (@ffsAllen) November 11, 2016
Coutinho so far this season (in all comps):
Games: 14
Goals: 8
Assists 7
World Class ? Goodnight. pic.twitter.com/gVbF6MbDjH
— Jack (@CIassyCouts) November 11, 2016
With his goal that provided Brazil their second of the night, Neymar reached a landmark of having scored 50 goals for the national team. Aged just 24, the Barcelona star is only 27 goals behind the all-time Brazilian goal-scoring record of 77 held by Pele, and with nearly his entire career in front of him that record may very well soon be his.
Neymar becomes the 4th player in team history with 50 international goals.
He joins some notable company. pic.twitter.com/6h1usRE1Kn
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 11, 2016
Neymar is coming for you, Pele and Ronaldo ?? pic.twitter.com/PCSoTtQ1u8
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 11, 2016
Neymar for Brazil:
50 GOALS
30 ASSISTSAnd he’s only 24.. pic.twitter.com/D37q7GwINR
— Neymar Jr. (@NeyMarvellous) November 11, 2016
There’s people out there who actually believe Bale is a better footballer than Neymar.
There’s a gulf of difference in talent between them.— Juan (@socraticjuan) November 11, 2016
Messi’s Argentina have been bullied by Neymar’s Brazil! pic.twitter.com/CO1Q295GTZ
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 11, 2016
It’s a dominant win for Neymar and Brazil! ?? pic.twitter.com/IQUaFe2IJK
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 11, 2016