Star ahead Neymar netted a penalty and created a second as hosts Brazil eased to a 3-0 victory over a coronavirus-depleted Venezuela on Sunday within the opening match of the 2021 Copa America. Centre-back Marquinhos opened the scored halfway via the primary half and Gabriel Barbosa sealed the Group B win a minute from time. In a match already delayed a yr and moved from its unique hosts Argentina and Colombia because of the pandemic, it was becoming that the coronavirus ought to take centre-stage proper as much as the match kick-off.
Performed in entrance of an empty Mane Garrincha stadium in Brasilia as a result of Covid-19 restrictions, Brazil made gentle of the continent’s minnows, who arrived with a makeshift aspect lacking eight gamers dominated out after testing constructive for coronavirus the day earlier than.
Venezuela known as up 15 emergency replacements however may nonetheless solely title seven out of a doable 12 substitutes as a result of a scarcity of obtainable gamers.
“It isn’t simply being with out key gamers, we did not have time to arrange higher for this group,” complained Venezuela’s Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro.
The sport went forward and, predictably, reigning champions Brazil have been effectively on high.
“The three factors are essential. We needed to begin effectively no matter our rivals having gamers out,” stated Brazil captain Casemiro.
Following a minute’s silence to recollect Covid victims, Richarlison was denied from shut vary by Venezuela’s goalkeeper Joel Graterol early on earlier than the ahead flicked a header large type a nook.
Centre-back Eder Militao was additionally off course with a header whereas Graterol did effectively to carry a Danilo volley from distance.
Venezuela produced little going ahead however Jose Martinez did have the Brazil defence back-pedalling with a harmful burst earlier than successful a nook that got here to nothing.
Brazil took the lead on 23 minutes when Richarlison flicked on a Neymar nook that deflected into Marquinhos’s path contained in the six-yard field, permitting the centre-back to bundle house.
Richarlison had a objective dominated out for offside whereas Neymar extremely fired large from 12 yards out as Brazil threatened to place the sport to mattress earlier than half-time.
Neymar turns creator
It was extra of the identical after the break as substitute Alex Sandro from distance and Richarlison with a header each shot over the bar.
Neymar in some way failed to show house a cross-cum-shot from Gabriel Jesus from three yards out however on 64 minutes he doubled the lead from the penalty spot.
Yohan Cumana clumsily introduced down Danilo within the field and Neymar despatched Graterol the fallacious manner from 12 yards.
The hosts took their foot off the gasoline however Neymar saved probing and was denied a second by Graterol following a mazy run and shot from contained in the field.
Neymar then created the third, rounding Graterol earlier than crossing for Gabriel Barbosa to chest house from barely a yard out.
“He is developed the flexibility to create. Proper foot, left foot, he is grow to be an unpredictable participant,” Brazil coach Tite enthused about Neymar.
Edwin Cardona scored the one objective of the sport as Colombia held on below second half strain to start their Group B marketing campaign with a 1-0 win over Ecuador — who thrashed them 6-1 the final time the edges met in a World Cup qualifier in November.
Colombia’s objective was a factor of magnificence with Cardona taking a brief free-kick to Juan Cuadrado, who chipped the ball into the field for Miguel Borja to move down into the trail of Cardona to volley house.
Promoted
It was initially disallowed for offside however a VAR evaluate confirmed that whereas three Colombian gamers have been past the defensive position, Cardona and Borja have been onside.
Ecuador got here near a second half equalizer via Pervis Estupinan however Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina brilliantly tipped his free-kick across the submit.
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