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Paulinho hat trick helps Brazil extend lead; Messi goal lifts Argentina

A Paulinho brace helped Brazil to a 4-1 victory over Uruguay in a clash of the top two teams in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Thursday.

Uruguay were awarded a penalty on nine minutes when Alisson took down Edinson Cavani after the PSG striker had beaten the Brazil keeper to a chested back-pass from left-back Marcelo.

Cavani then stepped up and powered his shot low and to the right of Alisson to give the home side a 1-0 advantage.

Paulinho scored the first of his goals to put Brazil level in the 19th minute -- the Guangzhou Evergrande man rifling home from distance after picking up the ball near midfield.