Brazil came from 0-1 down to hammer Uruguay 4-1 in Montevideo on Thursday as they notched another win in the South American World Cup qualifiers. Paulinho’s ruthless finishing, which earned him a hat-trick, and Neymar lead from the front as leave the five-time world champions virtually booked their place for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Uruguay earned a penalty early in the game, which was calmly converted by Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani. However, it took only 10 minutes for the five-time world champions to get back in the contest as Paulinho rifled a stunning 30-yard strike to the top corner of the net.

Six minutes into the second half, the Brazilians took the lead as Paulinho tapped the ball home from a close range as Uruguay keeper Martin Silva could only parry Roberto Firminho’s shot from just outside the box.

Barcelona’s Neymar showed his class fifteen minutes from the full-time whistle with a deft chip over Silva. Paulinho completed his hat-trick in stoppage time after chesting Dani Alves’s cross into the net.

This was coach Tite’s eighth win in as many games and it lifted table-toppers Brazil to 30 points.