The 19-year-old, who will join City from Palmeiras in January, produced a clinical left-footed finish at the Estadio das Dunas Natal after a counter-attack move started by Blues midfielder Fernandinho.
Jesus - who scored twice against Ecuador in the September qualifier - played 67 minutes in the game, Fernandinho the full 90.
Over at the Estadio Nacional Lima, Argentina drew 2-2 with Peru.
Pablo Zabaleta and Nicolas Otamendi completed the full game while Sergio Aguero played for 73 minutes before being taken off for Ever Banega. Ramiro Funes Mori and Gonzalo Higuain were on target for the Albiceleste. Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was on the losing side as Chile went down 3-0 to Ecuador.
Aleks Kolarov helped Serbia to a 3-0 win over Moldova.
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