Brazil on Friday became the first South American country to qualify for 2022 FIFA World Cup after beating Columbia 1-0.
The Lyon midfielder, 24, finished off a move involving Paris St-Germain pair Marquinhos and Neymar on 72 minutes.
Brazil still have six qualifiers to play, but have dropped just two points from their 12 games and are nine points clear of second-placed Argentina.
“This is the result of all the hard work we’ve been putting in,” Paqueta told Brazilian television network SporTV.
“Qualifying for the World Cup was our main objective and we achieved that today.”
Brazil’s next qualifier is away to Argentina in San Juan on Tuesday.