Big guns Brazil begin with bang

Sao Paulo, June 14: Brazil kicked off a Copa America tournament that has been opposed by some members of their own team with a 3-0 win over Venezuela here.

Marquinhos, Neymar and Gabriel Barbosa scored in the opener at Mane Garrincha stadium in Brasilia on Sunday, less than a day after several Venezuelan players tested positive for Covid-19.

South American football’s governing body, CONMEBOL, chose Brazil as host less than two weeks ago, despite their alarming Covid-19 figures, after Argentina and Colombia were dropped as co-hosts.

Despite their opposition to staging the tournament in their home country, Brazil captain Casemiro said the defending champions intended to retain their trophy.

“It could be a friendly, Copa America, World Cup qualifiers, we play it to win,” he said.

“Venezuela had the idea of defending, they wanted a draw. But we were focused and we were aggressive in the last third of the pitch,” he added.

Venezuela summoned 15 new players at short notice after eight squad members tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday, and the disruption showed on the field. Brazil opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after a corner kick ended with Marquinhos striking from close range.

Brazil coach Tite, who also opposed holding the tournament, took Lucas Paquet off at halftime, but kept Roberto Firmino on the bench. Instead, Everton Ribeiro went on and provided more dynamism on the right flank.

Ribeiro found Danilo on the right edge of the box, and the Brazilian was pushed to the ground. Neymar calmly scored from the spot in the 63rd to make it 2-0. He looked to the right of Venezuelan goalkeeper Joel Graterol, but took his shot to the left.

Neymar dribbled past Graterol and crossed for Barbosa to chest the ball into the empty net in the 89th. A flop at Inter Milan and Benfica, Barbosa is a hero at Brazilian club Flamengo, which want him on the national team more often.

Tite said he’s experimenting with combinations, thinking ahead to the World Cup in Qatar next year.

Brazil and Venezuela are in Group ‘B’ with Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Brazil and Colombia lead with three points each, but the defending champions are ahead by goal difference after Colombia’s 1-0 win against Ecuador. —