Brazil open Copa America with 3-0 win over Venezuela
Brazil opened the 2021 Copa America with a 3-0 win over a depleted Venezuela on Sunday, dominating their inexperienced opponents from start to finish in a one-sided match.
Defender Marquinhos scored the opening goal midway through the first half when he was fortunate to see his backheel squirm through a defender's legs and into the net.
Neymar netted his 67th international goal from the penalty spot 19 minutes into the second half after Danilo was felled in the box.
Substitute Gabriel Barbosa made it three with two minutes remaining when he chested home a cross from Neymar after the tireless Paris St Germain player had rounded the keeper.
The Copa America was moved to Brazil with just two weeks notice after co-hosts Colombia were removed due to a wave of civil unrest and Argentina pulled out because of a COVID-19 surge there.
Nevertheless, players or officials from three countries have tested positive for the new coronavirus, with Venezuela losing eight players and calling up another 15 on the eve of the opener.
The changes meant Venezuela had two debutants in a line-up that included just three of the players who began their World Cup qualifier with Uruguay last Tuesday.
Venezuela have never beaten Brazil in a competitive match but they were not overawed on a rainy night in Brasilia and they were spared more blushes by a home side who, although they never looked like losing, were frequently wasteful in the last third of the field.
Richarlison in particular missed a series of half and full chances before making way for Gabriel Barbosa in 65 minutes.
"We knew we were going to come across a Venezuela that shut up shop and make it difficult for us to play," Marquinhos said. "But thanks be to God we were able to score in the first half and that helped us."
"We know how important it is to score goals, especially in a game like this. Here the first goal is so important to open the game up and force your opponent to play a bit more."
Brazil’s next game is against Peru on June 17, while Venezuela take on Colombia the same day. Ecuador, the fifth team in Group B, face Colombia later on Sunday.
Intricate free kick move helps Colombia beat Ecuador
Colombia got their Copa America campaign off to a winning start with a scrappy 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Sunday, with the goal coming from a beautifully choreographed free kick straight off the training ground.
Edwin Cardona scored three minutes from halftime when he started and finished a move that involved deft touches from two other players.
The goal was initially ruled out for offside but that decision was reversed after a review by the Video Assistant Referee.
“The move for the goal was something the players have been working on since the World Cup qualifiers,” said Colombia coach Reinaldo Rueda.
Ecuador had by far the better of the second half but they could not get the goal that their pressure deserved and fall to the bottom of Group B alongside Venezuela, who lost 3-0 to hosts Brazil in the tournament’s opener earlier on Sunday.
Rueda acknowledged his side had not been at their best but praised their commitment and said they managed the game 'intelligently'.
“Ecuador didn’t let us play the game Colombia could have played,” he said, “The commitment the team showed was invaluable.”
Ecuador had beaten Colombia 6-1 in a World Cup qualifier in November but it was clear from early on there was little chance of a similar goal tally as clear-cut opportunities were few and far between.
Neither side were able to build up much of a rhythm on a pitch that cut up quickly and with the game repeatedly stopped by the referee's whistle for 33 fouls.
The result marked a third straight defeat for Ecuador while Colombia have gone three games unbeaten since Rueda took over as coach.
Both sides face Venezuela next, with Colombia playing them on June 17 in Goiania and Ecuador on June 20 in Rio de Janeiro.
