Gabriel Jesus struck a double as Brazil defeated Chile to leave Alexis Sanchez and the Copa America holders out of Russia 2018.

The Manchester City star, back at the home of the club that made him, Palmeiras, profited from a sublime move involving Philippe Coutinho and Neymar to discard a limited Chile side.

The Arsenal striker produced his typical hardworking performance, but without the suspended Arturo Vidal, La Roja failed to create enough to grab the win they required to avoid relying on other results to qualify for Russia 2018.

Paulinho converted the opener from close range after Claudio Bravo spilled Neymar's dipping, long-range free-kick.

Then the magic trio of Coutinho, Neymar and Gabriel sliced open the Copa America holders with a beautiful direct move.

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Image:
AFP)

Ecuador 1-3 Argentina: 5 talking points

Lionel Messi put Argentina on his back and carried the Albiceleste to next year’s World Cup finals with one of his greatest ever performances in Quito.

With Argentina’s Russia hopes in a critical condition after last week’s dour 0-0 draw against Peru, Messi scored a stunning hat-trick as Jorge Sampaoli’s men fought from behind to see off Ecuador 3-1.

Argentina had entered the match outside the qualification spots in South America’s notoriously tough 10-team qualifying group.

And within 45 seconds their hopes looked all but over, as Romario Ibarra gave Ecuador - who had no qualification hopes - the lead.

Yet two goals in eight minutes from Messi put Argentina in front; his first came after excellent interplay with Angel Di Maria, before he pounced on some lackadaisical play in the home defence and ruthlessly fired into the roof of the net.

Here are five talking points from Quito.


Brazil 3-0 Chile - talking points

Gabriel Jesus struck a double as Brazil defeated Chile to leave Alexis Sanchez and the Copa America holders out of Russia 2018.

The Manchester City star profited from a sublime move involving Philippe Coutinho and Neymar to discard a limited Chile side.

The Arsenal striker produced his typical hardworking performance, but without the suspended Arturo Vidal, La Roja failed to create enough to grab the win they required to avoid relying on other results to qualify for Russia 2018.

Paulinho converted the opener from close range after Claudio Bravo spilled Neymar’s dipping, long-range free-kick.

Then the magic trio of Coutinho, Neymar and Gabriel sliced open the Copa America holders with a beautiful direct move.

Here are the talking points from Sao Paulo.

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Image:
REUTERS)

Goal! Brazil 3-0 Chile (Gabriel)

Bravo was helpless after being caught out of goal, and Gabriel ran clear.

He tapped into the empty net, it’s over, the Selecao dispatch a hopeless Chile.

Alexis Sanchez and the Copa America holders look set to miss Russia 2018.

Firmino on, fresh legs to take the ball away from Chile and control possession - a nightmare when two down.

Chile desperate and out of ideas here.

A disaster for Pizza, as the Copa America holders will be missing, as things stand, from Russia 2018.

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Image:
Alexandre Schneider)

Brazil looking to cut open Chile on the counter as the gaps emerge.

Peru have scored and draw level vs Colombia, which means Chile are heading out!

La Roja are sixth! Big trouble with just 10 minutes to go!

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 10: Neymar of Brazil in action during the match between Brazil and Chile for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifier at Allianz Parque Stadium on October 10, 2017 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images) (
Image:
Alexandre Schneider)

A mazy run from Coutinho ends as Isla hacks down the Liverpool star.

Neymar from the edge of the area...

...It beats Bravo, who gazes at it from the other side of the goal, but it’s narrowly over the bar.

Paulinho and Hernandez go head to head, it’s heating up here.

Will Chile hold their composure?

They’re a Paraguay goal from elimination!

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Image:
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As it stands

GOAL! Brazil 2-0 Chile (Gabriel)

Stunning from Brazil who carve open Chile with ease over the top.

Neymar chases away and a simple square ball to Gabriel is converted.

Chile in big trouble now!

GOAL! Brazil 1-0 Chile (Paulinho)

Neymar with a free-kick, it’s up and over the wall, but Bravo pats that down easily.

He gets another opportunity and... GOAL!!

Bravo spills it and Paulinho gobbles up the rebound, horrific error from the City shot-stopper.

Tite appears to have got the message through as we start the second half here.

Brazil more purposeful in possession and precise, Chile dropping deep now.

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Image:
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Half-time: Brazil 0-0 Chile

So far, so good for Chile, but they must be fearful of results elsewhere.

A win for Colombia or Peru will take them back into the play-off, even with a point in Brazil.

Will Pizzi look for the win late to guarantee their place in Russia?

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Image:
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Sanchez chance! No!

Offside on the Arsenal man at the back stick, but it was close.

Brazil let him go free, sloppy marking there as we approach the break.

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Image:
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Another set piece opportunity for Chile, again, Sanchez takes it.

It’s lofted in but headed easily clear on the edge of the area, poor service.

Pizzi is pacing up and down, he seems torn between urging his side to push on as Brazil threaten to expose them if space is left.

Coutinho now starting to weave play together.

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Image:
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Chile reduced to pushing it into the channels - but no support for Sanchez? Vidal’s absence hitting home?

The Arsenal man is holding on to it longer than he would like.

Aranguiz with a wayward shot just not, very scrappy so far.

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Jara fizzes in a dangerous-looking shot, just wide as Ederson scrambled momentarily.

The long ball to Jesus is Brazil’s only thought initially when Chile push up the pitch.

Alves hacked down there, Sanchez got the ball first, then the PSG star’s legs.

Chile are hanging on to fourth, by goal difference.

But they are at the mercy of Peru and Paraguay not winning at this stage.

Fascinating start to this game with both sides a little unsure how to play it.

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Sanchez’s free-kick is blocked from Brazil, but La Roja are not sitting back.

Sanchez down the right and pressing hard.

Meanwhile in Ecuador... It’s Messi again!!! 2-1 Argentina!

Sanchez swings one in from the left flank, but Ederson has that one comfortably. A waste.

News in Ecuador... MESSI!

Lovely one-two with Di Maria and he stabs home!

Neymar bundled over, that looked like a penalty!

Neymar is hauled down with a nasty challenge from Isla.

The free kick fails to amount to anything.

Bravo building out from the back patiently, but Brazil are pressing hard.

They’re up for this, despite others insisting they wouldn’t be!

Goal in Argentina!

WOW! Huge goal in Ecuador as Argentina trail...

Mascherano won’t want to look at that again, Ibarra nips it to capitalise on his costly error.

Massive mountain to climb now for Messi and co.

The anthems are here, Chile belting their’s out.

It’s received with plenty of whistles.

Their fans believe, not long now to find out, we’ll cross-update the games and also bring you the latest from Peru and Paraguay, with both games having a huge impact on the final standings.

Vidal is 'gutted' to miss Brazil game

I’m gutted, it’s terrible that I can’t play.

This was the time to be present, and that yellow card leaves me out of the most important game of the qualifying campaign.

But this national team is strong, not because of the individual players but because of the collective. We just have to play the way we know.

I’m nervous, but I have every confidence in my team and my teammates.

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Image:
Joosep Martinson - FIFA)

Chile team news

Chile line up with a strong XI, led by Sanchez.

Arturo Vidal is suspended, but Charles Aranguiz could step up and support Sanchez and Vargas.

Can they do it? Or will they require results from elsewhere?

Brazil team news

Neymar leads the stellar line alongside Gabriel and Coutinho.

It’s Ederson in between the sticks as the City stopper looks to grab the No.1 jersey.

Alex Sandro continues to deputise at left-back ahead of the injured Marcelo

Are Brazil the front runners for the World Cup?

Germany and the Selecao are the bookies’ favourites and splitting them is tough.

Brazil rely on a few individuals, while Germany have sensational strength in depth across the entire pitch.

Chile to lean on experience

Chile will lean on a few old heads to help them negotiate this tough qualifier and secure a place at Russia 2018.

Their two top appearance holders are Alexis Sanchez and Claudio Bravo on 118 caps.

Nine of their top 10 most capped players in their history will likely play tonight. They will not freeze.

Argentina receive boost

In some significant news from CONMEBOL, they have banned Ecuador manager Jorge Célico from tonight’s game with Argentina.

El Tricolor’s coach had an argument with Arturo Vidal in the Chile qualifier and will now be denied the opportunity to coach his side from the touchline.

Chile are bound to be upset about this, despite their player involved in the altercation.

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Image:
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Evening all

So, the final night of South American qualifying is upon us.

Brazil...well they have no worries.

Since the arrival of Tite, the Selecao have been on a roll and tonight they’ll go out in Sao Paulo and play with a swagger.

For Chile, no such luxury. La Roja know only a win guarantees a spot in Russia. A draw will see them needing results elsewhere to go in their favour.

Defeat...well that’s unthinkable.

La Roja will have to look to cause an upset without key man Arturo Vidal, with the Bayern Munich midfielder serving a suspension having picked up two yellow cards in recent qualifiers.

Bayer Leverkusen man Charles Aranguiz is a big injury doubt, meaning boss Juan Antonio Pizzi could be without his two first choice central midfielders for their biggest game of the entire qualification campaign.

Can they get through it? We’ll soon find out.

Follow all the action tonight, right here, and we’ll keep you up to date with all the goals elsewhere too.

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