Liverpool fans were in for a treat last night as star forwards Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho lined up together for the Brazilian national team.
The home side were heavy favourites against a Bolivia team who had failed to win a qualifier away from home since 1993 and they did not disappoint, romping to a 5-0 win with the Reds duo both on the score sheet.
FT Brazil 5-0 Bolivia
Led by @neymarjr, Brazil cruise to a comfortable home win over Bolivia in Natal #WCQhttps://t.co/7ipu8XSBah pic.twitter.com/vdM3Lj1DUX— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) October 7, 2016
Neymar opened the scoring with a simple tap-in to take his tally for the national team to an outstanding 49 goals in 73 appearances.
Coutinho was then on hand to double the lead, poking in after a neat cutback from Giuliano, before Filipe Luis notched the third.
Gabriel Jesus added the fourth inside the 45-minute mark, the soon-to-be Manchester City forward continuing his excellent goal scoring form with a cheeky dinked finish.
The Brazilians understandably eased off in the second half but there was still time for Firmino to mark his return to the international set-up with a header from Coutinho’s corner with 15 minutes remaining.
The victory sent the 2014 World Cup hosts to second spot in the South American qualifying group, from which four teams will qualify automatically.
Firmino and Coutinho will both hope to be involved in the upcoming qualifiers and will have done their chances no harm with well-taken goals in this one.
Their performances didn’t come as a surprise to Reds fans on Twitter, who were generally pleased to see the pair receive the international recognition they deserve, although some seemed worried about their fitness with the derby against Manchester United on the horizon.
Here are some of the best tweets:
Dam. Did Firmino AND Coutinho both score whilst on international duty!? Shove off Barca – they’re ours!!
— david varley (@david_varley) October 7, 2016
Beautiful goals from Firmino and Coutinho last night @LFC #YNWA pic.twitter.com/4Vm6Qf2eRl
— LFC_LehighValley (@LfcLehighvalley) October 7, 2016
He may not be as big a match-winner as Coutinho/Sturridge, or as dangerous as Mane, but Firmino is now LFC’s best/most important player IMO.
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) October 7, 2016
@LFC @Roberto_Firmino @Phil_Coutinho @CBF_Futebol Scouse ???? Samba ????????
— Danny (@DannyH98) October 7, 2016
PHILIPPE COUTINHO and FIRMINO both score for Brazil in their 5.0 win liverpools great samba boys YNWA
— Liverpool Samba Boys (@Kingcobra8Koz) October 7, 2016
@Roberto_Firmino come back to Liverpool I miss watching you guys. I hope both you and Coutinho are injury free we have to beat Manchester
— Royco magwaza (@RoycoMagwaza) October 7, 2016
@TheKopHQ Its essential we keep Coutinho and Firmino. World class players. Man’e too.
— Darren Lomas (@DAZLOM) October 7, 2016
Coutinho and Firmino on the score sheet. ????????????#LFC #LFCFamily #Liverpool #Brazil https://t.co/JSpqnMBXtE
— Magician Coutinho (@LFC_Coutinho7) October 7, 2016
@LFC #FridayFeeling seeing Coutinho and Firmino score ????????????????
— Simon Francis (@PollingPowers) October 7, 2016
@Roberto_Firmino and @Phil_Coutinho both score for brasil ..this should show manchester united what they are going to face
— sulajackal1 (@sulajackal1) October 7, 2016
@LFC @Roberto_Firmino @Phil_Coutinho @CBF_Futebol Great, now can you send them back in one piece please?!
— Mr T (@onemistert) October 7, 2016
@Phil_Coutinho and @Roberto_Firmino were on ???? last night! Both are in the top 20 players in the world at the moment! #LFC #YNWA #LFCFamily
— SimplyGrujic (@simply_grujic) October 7, 2016
Hope Coutinho n Firmino done become another “enjoy em whilst we em” players, time to hold onto best players now and feel we will nowadays.
— i.Diddit (@OneManTeam79) October 7, 2016
Glad to see Coutinho and Firmino giving Brazil its flair back ????????
— DaNnY (@DWLFC94) October 7, 2016
