World Cup Qualifier: Half century for Neymar as Brazil crush Argentina

Neymar scored his 50th international goal as Brazil thrashed arch-rivals Argentina 3-0 in their 2018 World Cup qualifying duel here Thursday.

Barcelona superstar Neymar took his tally to 50 goals in 74 games as Brazil recorded their fifth consecutive victory under new coach Tite to remain on top of South America's qualification table.

Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho also scored as the Brazilians made a triumphant return to the Estadio Mineiro, scene of their 7-1 2014 World Cup semi-final humiliation against Germany.

Brazil now head the 10-team round-robin competition with 24 points from 11 games.

But the defeat deepens the sense of crisis enveloping Argentina, who have taken just two points from their last four games and now languish in sixth place overall, one spot outside the qualifying positions for the finals in Russia.

Brazil powered into a 2-0 lead in the first half after two wonderfully worked goals from Coutinho and Neymar.

Argentina had started brightly, with Lionel Messi drawing a foul from Fernandinho in the opening minutes which earned the Manchester City midfielder a yellow card from Chilean referee Julio Bascunan.

The Argentines created the first chance of the evening when Lucas Biglia's venomous shot from outside the area was well saved by Brazil goalkeeper Alisson on 23 minutes.

Argentina's Lionel Messi (L) is marked by Brazil's Thiago Silva during their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match (AFP)