Brazil 3-0 Venezuela
Reigning Copa America champions Brazil got their title defence off to the perfect start with a comfortable 3-0 win over Venezuela.
Marquinhos, Neymar, and Gabriel Barbosa supplied the goals for the Selecao’s victory over the poor Venezuelans, who were unfortunately hit by a massive COVID-19 outbreak which left them without several key players.
Brazil have now won their last eight matches on the bounce, with seven clean sheets, as they continue to look utterly unstoppable.
Highlights of the game
The Copa America 2021 betting odds had shifted significantly toward Brazil’s favour after news emerged of a COVID-19 outbreak in the Venezuelan camp days before their tournament opener against the hosts.
La Vinotinto were without eight players in their squad – including top striker Josef Martinez and captain Tomas Rincon – and could only name seven players on their substitutes’ bench.
Brazil, meanwhile, were pretty much at full strength. Tite started out with a 4-3-3 formation, with Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, and Richarlison up front.
The hosts predictably came out and immediately put some early pressure on the shorthanded Venezuelans. Richarlison got their first real chance of the match eight minutes in as his glancing header off a Neymar corner went across the face of the goal, but a sliding Gabriel Jesus was unable to get the crucial touch.
Richarlison had another glorious opportunity to open the scoring moments later as Neymar found him with a fantastic through ball, but the Everton forward’s fluffed shot was well-saved by Venezuela keeper Joel Graterol.
Minutes later, it was Eder Militao’s turn to threaten off a set piece, but the Real Madrid defender could not get his header from Renan Lodi’s excellent cross on target.
But Brazil finally broke the deadlock on 23 minutes through their other centre-back: Marquinhos. The PSG man produced a sensational finish as he backheel flicked the ball between a Venezuela defender’s legs and into the net.
Brazil had the ball in the back of the net just a couple of minutes later as Richarlison slid in ahead of Graterol. However, the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.
Neymar had a big chance to get into the scoresheet on the half-hour mark, but he blazed his right-footed shot wide.
Venezuela finally got their first shot on target six minutes from half-time through a well-worked free-kick. Luis Del Pino rose high for a header which Alisson caught quite comfortably.
The second half saw more of the same Selecao dominance as they went in search of a second goal that would seal the win. Neymar really should have scored it on 53 minutes, but he somehow failed to tap Gabriel Jesus’ cross into a wide-open goal.
But Neymar would eventually get on the scoresheet once again through the penalty spot. After Danilo was clumsily brought down by a Venezuelan defender, Neymar stepped up and slotted the ball home after sending Graterol the wrong way.
Gabriel Barbosa was brought in shortly after Neymar’s goal, and he would wrap up the scoring with Brazil’s third goal on the 89th minute. After Neymar evaded an onrushing Graterol, he unselfishly set up Gabigol for an easy tap-in.
Key statistics
Brazil were quite dominant throughout the match, and the final statistics bore that out. The hosts had 62 per cent of the ball and created a whopping 18 shots, seven of which were on target. Venezuela, on the other hand, could only muster three shots, with just one on target.
Neymar’s brilliant run of form for his country continues. He has scored seven goals in his last four matches for the Selecao and is now up to 67 career international goals — 10 away from Pele’s all-time record of 77 goals. Look for him to create even more Copa America 2021 highlights moving forward.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Barbosa is now up to three goals in eight international caps after scoring his first goal since 2016.
The Brazilians have been making a habit out of scoring late goals. They have now scored in the 89th minute or later in each of their last three matches, including in their recent World Cup qualifying over Paraguay.
What’s next?
Brazil’s next Copa America assignment will see them face struggling Peru on Friday, June 18. The Peruvians are currently last in World Cup qualifying and have lost four out of their last five competitive matches. Brazil beat them 4-2 in October last year, with Neymar scoring a hat-trick. Although, the Peruvians did get a crucial away win over Ecuador last time out.
Meanwhile, Venezuela will have another tough assignment against Colombia, who began their Copa America campaign with a 1-0 win over Ecuador. The Colombians did not start star Atalanta strikers Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel, but they might be given the call against Venezuela. Stay tuned to SBOTOP for a more complete preview of that matchup.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
