RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Brazilian national soccer team, at half speed, defeated its Venezuelan counterpart 3-0 on Sunday to open the Copa América 2021, a tournament that began amid controversy and the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, which has affected several of the participating delegations.
Defender Marquinhos (’22), Neymar (’63-pen), and Gabriel Barbosa “Gabigol” (’88) sealed Brazil’s easy victory over a timid Venezuelan team that felt the last-minute changes forced by a coronavirus outbreak that sidelined eight players a day before the match.
The team of coach Tite imposed conditions from the opening whistle of Uruguayan referee Esteban Ostojich at the Mané Garrincha National Stadium in the Brazilian capital.
Richarlison, twice, and Éder Militao troubled goalkeeper Joel Graterol in the first ten minutes, foreshadowing the local domination maintained throughout the match.
Then, Neymar and Danilo were the ones who preceded the first goal with dangerous plays.
The score in the 22nd minute by Marquinhos with a left-footed shot from a corner kick taken by Neymar, his teammate at Paris Saint Germain.
Brazil ended the first half with a minimal lead, which contrasted with the clear chances they had: two disallowed goals to Richarlison and a shot against the post by Neymar.
In the second half, things did not change, and Neymar, Richarlison, and Gabriel Jesus brought Brazil closer.
In the 61st minute, Danilo beat Luis Del Pino Mago and was then brought down by Yohan Cumaná. The penalty sanctioned by Ostojich was flawlessly executed by Neymar two minutes later.
The third goal was scored by Gabigol in the 88th minute after a combination of Neymar and Alex Sandro, and the Flamengo striker finished with a cross over Graterol.
In the second game, in Cuiabá, the teams of Colombia and Ecuador completed the first day of Group B, in which Peru rested.
On Thursday, Brazil and Peru will face each other in Rio de Janeiro, and Venezuela will play against Colombia in Goiania.
This Monday, in Group A, Argentina and Chile will debut in Rio de Janeiro and Paraguay and Bolivia in Goiania. Uruguay will rest on the first day.
-Lineups:
Brazil: Álisson; Danilo, Éder Militao, Marquinhos, Renán Lodi (46′, Alex Sandro); Casemiro, Fred (84′, Fabinho), Lucas Paquetá (46′, Éverton Ribeiro), Neymar; Richarlison (64′, Gabriel Barbosa “Gabigol”) and Gabriel Jesús (84′, Vinicius Júnior).
Coach: Tite
Venezuela: Joel Graterol; Francisco La Mantía, Luis Del Pino Mago, Adrián Martínez, Yohan Cumaná; Júnior Moreno, Bernaldo Manzano (75′, Richard Celis), Alexánder González (90′, Ronald Hernández), Cristian Cásseres Jr. (83′, Edson Castillo); José Martínez and Fernando Aristeguieta (76′, Sergio Córdova).
Coach: José Peseiro (POR)
Goals: 1-0, 22nd minute: Marquinhos. 2-0, 63′: Neymar (penalty); 3-0, 88′: Gabriel Barbosa “Gabigol”).
Referee: Esteban Ostojich (Uruguay). Yellow cards for Brazilians Renán Lodi and Gabriel Barbosa “Gabigol” and for Venezuelans Manzano and Del Pino Mago.
Incidents: Match corresponding to the first day of Group B of the Copa América played at the Mané Garrincha stadium in Brasilia, with no spectators.