BRAZIL revived its World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 win over Peru on Tuesday.

    Archrival Argentina, which has also struggled in early qualifying for Russia in 2018, got a similar boost with a 1-0 victory over Colombia.

    Douglas Costa got Brazil rolling in the 22nd minute, scoring off a cross from by Willian, who tormented Peru all night from his spot on the right side.

    Renato Augusto made it 2-0 in the 57th, slotting home a 15-meter shot behind Peru keeper Diego Penny.

    Filipe Luis chipped it into the wide-open goal to score in the 77th after Costa lashed a left-footed shot that Penny deflected.

    Brazil improved to seven points from four matches, and Peru stayed on three points from four.

    Peru’s Paolo Guerrero and Carlos Lobaton had chances in the first few minutes before the game tilted toward Brazil.

    Despite much of the possession, Brazil struggled to build up an attack for much of the match. Barcelona star Neymar was more involved than he has been in recent matches, but was slowed at time by fouls, which were constant in the stop-and-go game.

    Costa almost scored his second on a free kick in the 39th, which hooked in from the left side and hit the far post behind Peru Penny.

    Argentina, without the injured Lionel Messi, defeated Colombia 1-0 as Lucas Biglia scored in the first half, chipping in from short range.

    It was Argentina’s first victory in four qualifiers, and it scored only its second goal.

    Argentina, the World Cup runner-up a year ago to Germany, picked up its first victory without key players. Besides Messi, also out hurt were Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero.

    After defeating Peru in its first qualifier last month, Colombia has only four points from four matches.(SD-Agencies)