Peru vs. Brazil: Score and Reaction for World Cup 2018 Qualifying

With an opportunity to extend its lead atop the table of CONMEBOL's 2018 World Cup qualifying, Brazil defeated the hosts Peru 2-0 on Tuesday night from Estadio Nacional de Lima.

Second-half goals from Gabriel Jesus and Renato Augusto did enough to break down a resilient Peruvian defense and open up a four-point lead atop the CONMEBOL standings. 

Brazil had entered the night with 24 points thanks to a five-match winning streak, one ahead of Uruguay with one game at hand. Three points were vital to build a more comfortable lead. 

The points might have been more important to Peru, though, as it sat five points behind Argentina for the final playoff berth.  

It had to withstand a loaded Brazilian attack, though, which included one of the biggest stars in the world in Neymar. 

As expected, Brazil dominated proceedings, bossing 61 percent of possession on the day. However, its first eight shots over the first 55 minutes would go wide or get turned away by Peru keeper Pedro Gallese. 

In the 58th minute, Jesus finally broke the deadlock after a loose ball came rolling his way toward the center of the box. 

Unmarked, he coolly side-footed his chance into the top-right corner of Gallese's goal to take the lead. 

The Brazilian attack did not fade, though, and in the 78th minute, Augusto iced the match when he took a pass from Jesus at the right of the box and slotted his shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal. 

Now with a six-match winning streak, Brazil looks unstoppable as the first round of qualifying's second half continues. It will have an opportunity to extend its lead even further on March 23, as it will go to Uruguay to try to take a stronghold on the standings.

Peru will attempt to fight back against Venezuela on March 23.

Stats courtesy of ESPNFC.com.