Brazil will be without Barcelona star Neymar and Paris Saint-Germain

defender David Luiz on Tuesday when they face a tricky 2018 World Cup

qualifying trip to Paraguay with renewed uncertainty swirling around

their campaign. 

The Brazilians are licking their wounds after the disappointment of

Friday’s 2-2 draw with Uruguay, when they squandered a two-goal lead and

finished the game clinging on for the point.

For the opening half hour in Recife, Brazil were irresistible,

attacking with precision and purpose in what looked like being their

best performance since their 2014 World Cup semi-final debacle against

Germany. 

But Uruguay’s fightback, begun with Edinson Cavani’s superb volley

and completed by Luis Suarez’s predatory strike after half-time, has

reawakened all of the old concerns about Brazil’s brittle defence,

humiliated in the 7-1 thrashing by the Germans two years ago. 

The frustration of allowing Uruguay back into the game eventually got

the better of Neymar, who was cautioned for a petulant kick on Alvaro

Gonzalez, meaning he will now be suspended for Tuesday’s trip to

Asuncion.

Former Chelsea centre-back Luiz also earned a booking on Friday that

will see him miss the game against Paraguay, who are level on eight

points with third placed Brazil after five matches. 

Brazil coach Dunga has

called up Santos’s exciting teenage striker Gabriel Barbosa, a star of

the Olympic team, to replace Neymar while Corinthians defender Felipe

will come in for Luiz. 

Gabriel, 19, known widely as “Gabigol” and regarded as the heir

apparent to Neymar, will be making his first senior appearance for

Brazil after starring for the Under-23s last year where he scored six

goals in four matches.

“I will be realizing a dream that I did not expect so soon,” Gabriel said. “I’m happy for the opportunity.” 

Paraguay meanwhile will be looking for all three points against

opponents whom they have caused repeated problems in recent years. 

Paraguay knocked Brazil out of the Copa America quarter-finals in

2015 and 2011 and will be quietly confident of another win on Tuesday. 

The Paraguayans were deprived of what would have been a deserved

victory against Ecuador on Thursday when a dubious late equaliser saw

the surprise qualifying leaders snatch a 2-2 draw. 

Coach Ramon Diaz believes the performance against Ecuador augurs well for the clash with Brazil. 

“We showed that we’re a competitive team who can fight against anyone,” Diaz said. 

“I hope that the team will continue to grow.” 

In other matches on Tuesday, Argentina face Boliva in Cordoba aiming

to continue their recovery with a third consecutive victory following

away wins over Colombia and Chile.

Argentina are currently fifth in the standings with eight points from

their opening five matches, but will be strong favourites to notch

another win against a Bolivian side who are second bottom with three

points from five games. 

Elsewhere, Ecuador face a demanding trip to face Colombia in Barranquilla while Uruguay host Peru in Montevideo. 

Chile will aim to bounce back from the disappointment their home

defeat by Argentina last week when they travel to bottom side Venezuela,

who have only one point from five matches.

The top four teams from South America’s round robin qualifying league

qualify automatically for the World Cup in Russia in two years time. 

The fifth-placed team faces a play-off against a qualifier from the Oceania zone.