Brazil vs. Venezuela: Score and Reaction from 2018 World Cup Qualifier

A brace from midfielder Willian lifted Brazil to its first win of the 2018 World Cup South American qualifiers on Tuesday night, a 3-1 triumph over Venezuela in Fortaleza, Brazil. 

It has been a nightmare year playing at home for Brazil. In its last two matches in the country, Brazil lost the World Cup semifinals 7-1 to Germany and the third-place game 3-0 to Holland.        

It didn't start its 2018 World Cup qualifying much better, dropping its opener to hosts Chile. It was the first time ever Brazil lost the first match of a qualifying campaign. 

All that losing must have gotten to Willian, who didn't wait long to put Brazil out in front. 

Just 37 seconds into the match, the Brazilian midfielder entered the box and launched a shot near-post that Venezuelan goalkeeper Alain Baroja could only get fingertips on. 

BeIn Sports Espanol has the replay:

It was a dream start for the hosts, as it allowed them to settle in and build an overwhelming attack on the Venezuelans. 

On the night Brazil outshot Venezuela 15-7, getting five of those on target while nabbing 68 percent of possession. 

Brazil's second almost came in the 28th minute, when a corner fell to Oscar's head. The midfielder ranging on the smaller side showed he's not used to free headers in the box as he sent his chance over the bar just feet from Venezuela's goal. 

Willian doubled his and Brazil's goal output on the night in the 42nd minute, receiving a pass from Filipe Luis and placing it into the top-left corner of the goal. 

BeIn Sports Espanol shows the star's second tally. 

This is nothing new for Willian against Venezuela, according to ESPN3's Juan Arango:

While the game lost its attacking pace early in the second half, it allowed Venezuela to steady itself and work its way back in. 

In the 64th minute, it pulled one back through Christian Santos, who used his left thigh to put in a corner that was headed on by Oswaldo Vizcarrondo. 

It wasn't conventional, but the results are the same. BeIn Sports Espanol has a look:

Ricardo Oliveira put the icing on the cake for Brazil just 10 minutes later. On the left side of the box, Douglas Costa sent in a cross that went untouched, bouncing once up to the head of the striker who was by himself to the right of goal. He simply tapped it in with his head to restore Brazil's two-goal advantage. 

Brazil was able to breathe a sigh of relief, as BeIn Sports Espanol shows:

It wasn't the best of nights for the South American minnows in Venezuela, who exuded a spirited effort despite the outcome. They had some nice moments through the game, and if they play against the weaker teams on the continent like they did against Brazil, the Venezuelans could make some noise. 

Brazil got its first points of the continental World Cup qualifiers in some style thanks to its midfielder. The win also might exorcise any lingering demons that came to be after the 2014 World Cup disasters. 

If they're able to get that kind of consistent output from their creative players such as Willian, who showed on Tuesday he can act like a striker at times, the Brazilians are going to be just fine moving forward.

Stats courtesy of ESPNFC.com.