Brazil 3-0 Venezuela: Neymar begins the Copa America title defense as hosts with an America win

Neymar are 10 goals behind Pele’s record of 77 goals for Brazil

Hosts Brazil began defending their Copa America title with a comfortable win over Covid-stricken Venezuela in the tournament’s opening game.

Talisman Neymar scored one goal and set up another by adding a second for Tite’s side with a penalty in the second half before later setting up Gabriel Barbosa.

Paris St-Germain defender Marquinhos bundled the opener in the 23rd minute after Venezuela failed to clear a corner.

Nine-time winners Brazil won their first Copa America title in 12 years in 2019.

Twelve players and coaching staff from Venezuela tested positive for Covid-19 one day before the opening match of Group A, which also includes Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

Everton striker Richarlison had failed to acknowledge a goal in the first half for offside and Neymar missed from close range as Brazil struggled at first to gain dominance.

Neymar scored his 67th international goal after Yohan Cumana fouled Danilo but missed another big chance to get closer to Pele’s national record of 77 after breaking Venezuela’s defenses in the closing stages.

The PSG striker then rounded off goalkeeper Joel Graterol before replacing Barbosa on a tap-in.

The 47th edition of the Copa America – postponed for a year due to the coronavirus outbreak – takes place in Brazil after Colombia and Argentina were removed from the tournament.

The South American Football Association (Conmebol) Colombia removed as a co-host in May amid anti-government protests and Argentina was later replaced due to rising Covid-19 cases in the country.

The BBC will broadcast all 28 games of the 2021 Copa America, which will run through July 10 and show the 10 Conmebol nations.

Constellations

Brazil

formation 4-3-3

1Alisson

2Danilo14thmilitan4thBrands16Lodi dos Santos

17thTolentino Coelho de Lima5House grief8thFred

9Gabriel Jesus7thRicharlison10Neymar

• 1Alisson
• 2Danilo
• 14thmilitan
• 4thBrands
• 16Lodi dos SantosBooked at 38 minutesReplaced byWolf Silvaat the 45 ‘protocol
• 17thTolentino Coelho de LimaReplaced byby Barros Ribeiroat the 45 ‘protocol
• 5House grief
• 8thFredReplaced byFabinhoat the 85 ‘protocol
• 9Gabriel JesusReplaced byVinicius Juniorat the 85 ‘protocol
• 7thRicharlisonReplaced byBarbosa Almeidaat the 65 ‘protocolBooked at 66 minutes
• 10Neymar

replacement

• 3Thiago Silva
• 6thWolf Silva
• 11by Barros Ribeiro
• 12thPereira da Silva
• 13Souza Junior milk
• fifteenFabinho
• 18thVinicius Junior
• 19thSousa Soares
• 20thFirmino
• 21Barbosa Almeida
• 22ndFelipe
• 23Ederson

Venezuela

formation 5-4-1

12thGraterol

21Gonzalez8thLa Mantia28Martinez14thFrom the jaw27Cumana

13Martinez5Moreno24Manzano23Casseroles Jr

9Aristeguieta

• 12thGraterol
• 21GonzalezReplaced byHernándezat the 90 + 2 ‘protocol
• 8thLa Mantia
• 28Martinez
• 14thFrom the jawBooked at 80 minutes
• 27Cumana
• 13Martinez
• 5Moreno
• 24ManzanoBooked at 69 minutesReplaced byCelisat the 77 ‘protocol
• 23Casseroles JrReplaced byCastilloat the 84 ‘protocol
• 9AristeguietaReplaced byCordovaat the 77 ‘protocol

replacement

• 1Farinez
• 11Cordova
• fifteenMurillo
• 20thHernández
• 22ndRomero
• 25thCelis
• 26Castillo

Live text

1. Game ends, Brazil 3, Venezuela 0.

2. Second half ends, Brazil 3, Venezuela 0.

3. Handball by Richard Celis (Venezuela).

4. Replacement, Venezuela. Ronald Hernández replaces Alexander González.

5. Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) wins a free kick on the left wing.

6. Foul by Alexander González (Venezuela).

7. Casemiro (Brazil) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

8. Foul by Richard Celis (Venezuela).

9. Goal! Brazil – 3, Venezuela 0. Gabi (Brazil) with a shot from close range into the lower left corner. Supported by Neymar.

10. Foul by Everton Ribeiro (Brazil).

11. Júnior Moreno (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

12. Change, Brazil. Fabinho replaces Fred.

13. Change, Brazil. Vinícius Júnior replaces Gabriel Jesus.

14. Replacement, Venezuela. Edson Castillo replaces Cristian Cásseres Jr.

15. Corner, brazil. Admitted by Joel Graterol.

16. Attempt saved. Neymar (Brazil) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the lower left corner. Supported by Gabi.

17. Attempt saved. Casemiro (Brazil) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the center of the goal. Supported by Fred.

18. Luis Del Pino (Venezuela) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

19. Gabi (Brazil) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

20. Foul by Luis Del Pino (Venezuela).