Neymar headlines Brazil’s easy win
Star forward Neymar netted a penalty and created a second as hosts Brazil eased to a 3-0 victory over a coronavirus-depleted Venezuela on Sunday in the opening match of the 2021 Copa America.
Centre-back Marquinhos opened the scoring midway through the first half and Gabriel sealed the win a minute from time.
Played in front of an empty Mane Garrincha stadium in Brasilia due to COVID-19 restrictions, Brazil made light of the continent’s minnows, who arrived with a makeshift side missing at least eight players who were ruled out after testing positive for coronavirus the day before.
Venezuela called up 15 emergency replacements but could still only name seven out of a possible 12 substitutes due to a lack of available players.
The game went ahead and, predictably, reigning champion Brazil was well on top.
In Cuiaba, a surprising choreographed move gave Colombia a 1-0 win against Ecuador in its first match.
