Joao Pedro earns Brazil call-up for World Cup qualifiers

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Brighton forward Joao Pedro has been drafted into Brazil's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old replaces Flamengo striker Pedro, who was ruled out of the matches after suffering a knee injury while training earlier in the day.

Joao Pedro has made an impressive start to the se