Lucas Paquetá laid on Brazil's winner as they got their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Friday night.
Having lost three qualifiers in a row heading into the Curitiba clash, Paquetá and his teammate knew they needed a positive response - and the Hammers man played a key role in providing that.
Earning his 51st cap from the start, Paquetá played a line-breaking pass to Real Madrid forward Rodrygo with 30 minutes on the clock.
Rodrygo took a touch, swivelled and unleashed a 25-yard shot which struck the inside of the left-hand post and nestled in the net.
That proved to be enough for Brazil and Paquetá, who was withdrawn after 74 minutes of the contest.
Brazil now have ten points from seven quailifying matches played, and sit fourth in the ten-team table. The top six teams after 18 matches will directly earn their place in the 2026 finals, to be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico, while the seventh side will enter a play-off.
Next up for Brazil is an away match at Paraguay on Tuesday night.
Elsewhere in South America, Guido Rodríguez was an unused substitute in Argentina's comfortable 3-0 victory over Chile.
Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister, Atlético Madrid's Julián Alvarez and Roma's Paulo Dybala were all on the scoresheet.
La Albiceleste are four points clear of Uruguay at the top of the table, ahead of their meeting with Colombia on Tuesday.
Moving across to North and Central America, and Michail Antonio was a starter as Jamaica began their CONCACAF Nations League campaign with a 0-0 draw against Cuba in Kingston.
In Steve McClaren's first game is charge as Reggae Boyz boss, Jamaica dominated the contest - with 73% possession and 21 shots on goal - but could not break their visitors down.
Jamaica's attention now switches to their second Group B fixture, in Honduras on Tuesday.
In Europe, meanwhile, Alphonse Areola was an unused substitute as France kicked-off the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League with a Group A2 defeat to Italy.
Les Bleus made the perfect start in Paris, going ahead in the first minute through Bradley Barcola, only for Italy to hit back strongly.
Federico Dimarco levelled before the break, then second half goals from Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori secured a 3-1 win for the visitors.
Next for France is a home match against Belgium in Lyon on Monday.
