Brazil coach Tite praised Neymar’s performance and expressed his happiness with Roberto Firmino’s contribution to Bolivia’s 5-0 win.

Liverpool striker Firmino scored twice as Brazil opened their World Cup qualifying campaign in impressive fashion, despite not playing an international match for nearly 12 months.

Marquinhos and Philip Coutinho scored a goal as well, as Bolivia did not help their cause with an own goal at the Sao Paulo stadium.

Neymar, who scored 61 goals in 102 international matches, was unable to find the net but was in effect the whole time, as the Paris Saint-Germain striker showed no signs of a back problem that bothered him as he prepared for the match.

“We seek knowledge and strategies [to play] Tete said after a resounding victory.

Neymar was more flexible, more central, with freedom of movement, as the opponent’s control was more demanding.

Coutinho played at home, with Firmino not so long ago [Firmino] He didn’t pursue the ball much, just wait for it longer.

“He scored two goals and he could have scored two more. As the match demands, we may not change the team’s job, but we adapt it to what suits it.”

Brazil will be next on Tuesday, when they will miss Peru.

Tite is hoping his team will have the same level of experience on his travels in what will be a repeat of the 2019 Copa America final in Rio de Janeiro, the match Selecao won 3-1 to lift the trophy.

“It’s the advantage of maintaining possession,” the Brazil coach added at his press conference. “But there is no point in having the ball and finishing a little.”

Brazil are seeking a sixth World Cup title, having not raised the crown since their 2-0 victory over Germany thanks to two Ronaldo goals in the 2002 World Cup Final.

They reached the semi-finals of the domestic version of the tournament in 2014 before being badly defeated by the German national team, which ultimately won the championship, while four years later they found Belgium very strong in the quarter-finals, with an own goal and a. Kevin De Bruyne’s attack sent them to Russia.