Brazil seeking respite against Paraguay

Rio de Janeiro, March 28: Midfielder Luiz Gustavo has admitted that Brazil must defeat Paraguay on Tuesday to provide "tranquility" in their qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup football in Russia.

Brazil drew 2-2 with Uruguay in Recife on Friday, a result that left them third in the South American zone qualifying standings, behind Ecuador and Uruguay, reports Xinhua.

The top four teams at the end of the two-year qualifying tournament will automatically qualify for the World Cup while the fifth team will earn a play-off berth.

"Every game in these qualifiers is difficult," Gustavo told reporters on Sunday. 

"Most teams like to play long balls and that makes it a struggle. We have to prepare for these difficulties. The qualifying tournament is long but every point is important, especially when playing away from home."

Paraguay have been a thorn in Brazil's side in recent years, having eliminated them from successive Copa America tournaments at the quarter-final stage.

And Ramon Diaz's team are not lacking confidence, having defeated Bolivia and drawn Ecuador – who lead the standings – in their past two matches.

"It's not going to be easy," said Gustavo, who plays for Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg. "We need to play well and get a good result to give us some tranquility. Only a victory can give us that. The table is worrying.

"Paraguay are going to do their best to make it difficult for us. We have be focused and play as a team, all working towards the same objective."