Ecuador vs. Brazil: Score, Reaction from World Cup 2018 Qualifier

Brazil earned a vital road win in CONMEBOL qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, beating Ecuador 3-0 at the Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa in Quito on Thursday.

Neymar stole the lead with a penalty kick after Gabriel Jesus was brought down. Jesus then marked his debut with two tremendous finishes in the final moments for a deserved brace.

The match was hugely important for the Olympic gold medalists after a poor start to qualifying play that saw them secure only nine points from their opening six games.

Felipe Caicedo led the line for manager Gustavo Quinteros' side, flanked by Jefferson Montero, Miller Bolanos and Enner Valencia.

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Manager Tite's first Brazil starting XI was anchored by a strong back four of Dani Alves, Miranda, Marquinhos and Marcelo. The 19-year-old Jesus—who signed a deal to join Manchester City on Wednesday, per Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News—earned his full debut for the Selecao after a phenomenal showing at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, partnering with Neymar in the forward positions.

The opening minutes of the match were dull and pedestrian, as neither side was ready to attack in earnest.

Neymar set Jesus free as the hosts' defence switched off, but the teen was unable to find the net.

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The opportunity was one of the few high points of the first half, as Ecuador shut the door in midfield.

Brazil soaked up any pressure exerted by Quinteros' men, forcing a stalemate until half-time.

Neymar shot from distance as he attempted an audacious chance on the hosts' goal after the restart, and Paulinho followed suit.

The Blaugrana forward struggled to be influential during the first half, but he appeared more lively as Brazil focused on the counter-attack.

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Ecuador slowly worked their way into the match as Montero began to find space on the flanks.

However, the high-altitude conditions were affecting both teams, making it difficult to step through the gears as they searched for opportunities. Jesus started to look isolated, and the tempo evaporated as the Brazil players gasped for air and rest.

Philippe Coutinho was brought into the game on the hour mark as the Brazilians contemplated picking the lock of Ecuador's bullish midfield.

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Alves provided width for his side, but the full-back's delivery was off as Brazil flooded the box on a rare occasion. Marcelo took a snap shot, but the Real Madrid defender couldn't steer his chance on target.

Ecuador responded with a spell of possession and attacking, but Brazil again retreated as they managed the speed of the game.

Football writer Jack Lang commented as Brazil narrowed their play, with the spectacle on the pitch suffering:

The key moment of the second half came with 20 minutes remaining, when the tenacious Jesus won a penalty. The City prospect caught Arturo Mina flat-footed in defence, and the teenager was brought down by goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez, who received a yellow card.

Neymar stepped up to take responsibility for the penalty, and the icon slotted his chance away with no fuss to take the lead.

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Brazil found a second wind in the final 15 minutes, and the hosts were rattled. Juan Carlos Paredes hamstrung Ecuador after seeing his second yellow, and the right-back protested wildly as he left the pitch.

Coutinho should have sealed the victory in the final minutes, but the Liverpool player could only smash his effort against Dominguez.

The brilliant Jesus wrapped up the match, flicking his effort home from a narrow angle. His second goal followed just seconds after.

The victory relit Brazil's qualifying chances, but there are a host of strong sides still ahead of them in the table.

Jesus was the revelation of the night as he made a memorable debut, but Neymar was the difference-maker when the chips were down, pulling the strings from a deeper role in the attack.