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The Selecao took the lead through a stunner from the Liverpool star and never looked back as they dominated proceedings in Belo Horizonte
What's better than a win over your biggest rivals? One that leaves them in real danger of failing to reach the next World Cup, that's what.
A reborn Brazil side won Thursday night's Superclássico das Américas in commanding style, condemning Argentina to a defeat that leaves them SIXTH in the qualifying group, fully eight points behind their hosts.
Philippe Coutinho got the ball rolling for the Seleção with a trademark rocket from range, before Neymar gave his side breathing space before half-time.
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Former Tottenham man Paulinho then added a deflected third, handing Brazil coach Tite his fifth win since taking over from Dunga earlier this year.
Here are five things we learned:
1. Coutinho a growing force
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For some time, the attacking midfielder seemed unable to translate his ability into consistent performances at international level. Coutinho came and went from the squad and struggled to hold down a starting spot, niggling injuries and dips in form disrupting his progress.
Now, though, he looks to have found his rhythm: since coming into the side against Bolivia, he has provided the kind of spark and cutting edge to which Liverpool fans have become well accustomed over the last few seasons.
His strike midway through the first half was a fine distillation of his best qualities: the fleet of foot to find a pocket of space, the willingness to take responsibility and shoot, the impeccable technique.
That's now five goals in seven games in a yellow jersey – proof that he is becoming a force to reckon with at this level.
2. Argentina in trouble
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It wasn't too long ago that the Albiceleste topped the CONMEBOL group, with Brazil down in sixth. The tables have turned completely in the last few months, however: it's now the Seleção sitting pretty at the summit while Argentina sweat over their qualification hopes.
The visitors came into this game on a run of three games without a win, hoping that the return of Lionel Messi – who missed all of those matches – would be the catalyst for an upturn in fortunes.
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But after an energetic start, Edgardo Bauza's side rarely looked like troubling Brazil, struggling to find a way past an organised defence and making too many mistakes at the other end of the field.
They remain in sixth, outside the automatic qualification spots and even the play-off place. The only silver lining for Bauza is that it could have been worse: had Paraguay beaten Peru, they would have dropped down to seventh.
3. Brazil's mascot is utterly terrifying
O gol: Philippe Coutinho arranca, limpa a jogada e acerta chute indefensável no Mineirão. Brasil 1 x 0 Argentina #FechadoComASeleção
That's my nightmares sorted for the next few months then.
4. Neymar winning numbers game
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The Barcelona forward reached a significant milestone at the Mineirão: his cool finish just before the interval was his 50th goal for Brazil, in his 74th appearance.
That achievement would be remarkable regardless of context, but factor in Neymar's age (24) and it begins to look extra-terrestrial.
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There are now just three players ahead of him on the list of top goalscorers for the Seleção: Romário (55), Ronaldo (62) and Pelé (77).
If he carries on at anything like his current rate, he'll be past them in no time.
5. More positive Mineirão memories for Brazil
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The dominant theme in the build-up to this match had been Brazil's belated return to the Mineirão – the site of their harrowing thrashing at the hands of Germany at the 2014 World Cup.
"The scar will always be there," Renato Augusto had admitted before the game, while Paulinho called it "a chance to rewrite history".
That always looked a little too much to ask; the mark left by the 7-1 will be indelible, a damning indictment of the technical, structural and institutional deficiencies that have eroded the foundations of the Brazilian game in recent decades.
But this win will undoubtedly boost confidence and will help maintain the momentum established in the succesful U23 Olympic campaign earlier this summer.
6. Paulinho has rediscovered his mojo
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These are early days for Tite, just four months removed from the drudgery of the (second) Dunga era. But already there are positive signs all over the pitch, his team playing with far more conviction and attacking intent than the side that limped out of the Copa América last year.
No player symbolises the improvement more than Paulinho.
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A favourite of Tite's from their time together at Corinthians, he was superb on the night, hustling the Argentina midfield throughout and timing his runs into the area to perfection.
He even beat Messi with a Cruyff turn in his own half during the second period: not bad for a man who spent much of his time at Spurs trundling around with all the menace of a dessert trolley.
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