In a stunning World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, Brazil’s midfield engine Paulinho, who plies his trade in the Chinese Super League with Guangzhou Evergrande, delivered one of the most memorable performances of his international career. Fans following the match on Cricket Exchange watched in awe as the midfielder not only scored a thunderous long-range strike but went on to complete a sensational hat-trick, cementing his place as the heartbeat of Tite’s resurgent Brazil side.
The fireworks began in the 19th minute when Neymar cut in from the left and squared the ball to Paulinho. Facing pressure from two Uruguayan defenders, Paulinho unleashed a ferocious long-range shot that rocketed into the top right corner. Even though goalkeeper Martín Silva reacted quickly, the sheer power of the strike left him helpless. Commentators and Cricket Exchange discussions were quick to label it a “goal out of nowhere,” the kind that breaks opponents’ spirits.
Paulinho’s night of magic continued in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Firmino tested Silva with a sharp effort after a clever pass from Philippe Coutinho. The keeper could only parry the shot, and Paulinho was first to react, smashing home the rebound to put Brazil ahead 2-1. Later, deep into stoppage time, Brazil earned a corner on the right. Willian played it short to Dani Alves, whose precise cross found Paulinho arriving at the far post. With remarkable improvisation, the midfielder chested the ball into the net, sealing his hat-trick. This time, the normally composed Paulinho could not contain his emotions, sprinting to the touchline to embrace his teammates in joyous celebration.
It was the first hat-trick of Paulinho’s international career, and remarkably, before this match he had never scored more than once in a single game for Brazil. His transformation has been remarkable. After leaving Tottenham Hotspur in 2015 to join Guangzhou Evergrande, Paulinho was considered by many to be finished at the top level. His move to China even cost him his spot in the national team. Yet through relentless effort and consistency at Evergrande, he won the trust of new coach Tite, who reinstated him into the squad last September. Since then, Paulinho has been a fixture in midfield, contributing not only defensively but also with crucial goals and assists.
While Neymar’s delightful lobbed finish added sparkle to the scoreline, the night unquestionably belonged to Paulinho. Brazilian media hailed him as the team’s “new backbone,” while fans on Cricket Exchange described his performance as a perfect blend of strength, timing, and composure. From being written off in Europe to becoming Brazil’s match-winner, Paulinho’s journey is a powerful reminder that persistence pays off.
March 23 turned into a symbolic day for Guangzhou Evergrande as well. On one side of the globe, five of their players shone in China’s 1-0 win over South Korea in the World Cup qualifiers, securing the team’s first victory in the final Asian qualifying round. Meanwhile, in Montevideo, Paulinho was the star of Brazil’s emphatic win, proving that Evergrande’s influence extends far beyond domestic football.
For Brazil, the message was clear: Paulinho is not just filling a spot in midfield, he is the driving force behind the Selecao’s ambitions. And for global fans tracking the match on Cricket Exchange, his hat-trick was more than just a historic performance—it was the ultimate redemption story of a player who refused to give up on his dream.