Brazil hammers hapless Haiti in Copa creaming

Philippe Coutinho grabbed a hat-trick as Brazil ramped up its Copa America Centenario campaign with a resounding 7-1 win over a hapless Haiti on Wednesday night.

Renato Augusto scored a brace and substitutes Lucas Lima and Gabriel also goaled for Brazi, while James Marcelin put in Haiti’s consolation goal.

The scoreline – identical to Brazil’s nightmare 7-1 defeat by Germany in the World Cup semifinal two years ago – takes Brazil to the top of Group B with four points, ahead of the evening’s second game between Peru and Ecuador, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Coutinho got Brazil off to a positive start in the Camping World stadium with a goal after 14 minutes when he skipped past a defender and hammered home from 20 meters out.

He doubled Brazil’s lead 15 minutes later thanks to Jonas, who was on hand to poke a loose ball across goal and leave the Liverpool player with the simplest of tap-ins.

Renato Augusto made it three in 35 minutes when he rose unmarked to head home a cross from the right.

Although the eight-time Copa America champion appeared to take its foot off the pedal in the second half, it still created chances at will against 74th-ranked Haiti.

Gabriel scored the fourth just 13 minutes after replacing Jonas at half-time and his Santos teammate Lucas Lima nodded home a Dani Alves cross eight minutes later.

Haitian striker Marcelin delighted the Caribbean contingent in the Orlando crowd by hammering in a rebound, but Renato Augusto restored Brazil’s five-goal advantage when he seized on a loose pass and side-footed home from 20 meters out.

Coutinho completed his hat-trick in the final minute of injury time with a trademark 25-meter strike.

Brazil, which was held 0-0 by Ecuador in their opener, next faces Peru on Sunday. Haiti, which also lost its opener to Peru 1-0, will take on Ecuador.

Late Thursday night, Mexico took on Jamaica, while Urugay faced Venezuela. On Friday, Chile and Bolivia are set to duel, while Argentina clashes with Panama.