Copa America: Brazil Opens Football League With a Win Against Venezuela
Brazil opened the prestigious football league, Copa America, by winning against Venezuela on Sunday, June 13, at Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia. Brazil scored 3-0 in the match against their opponent, according to an Associated Press report.
Marquinhos, Neymar, and Gabriel Barbosa were responsible for the teams winning. Brazil won over Venezuela days after officials reported that some of the people from the Venezuelan football team tested positive for COVID-19 upon their arrival in the country.
Brazil Won 3-0 Against COVID-Affected Venezuela in Copa America
Venezuela summoned 15 new players at short notice after eight squad members tested positive for COVID. The Guardian reported that the sudden changes paved the way for a couple of players making their debut in the field. Apart from the debutants, Venezuela has three players in their team who began their World Cup qualifiers with Uruguay last Tuesday.
Despite the sudden change on Venezuela's football team, Brazil did not back down on winning when defender Marquinhos scored the opening goal midway through the first half of their match. The second goal of Brazil was made by Neymar when he netted his 67th international goal from the penalty spot. Neymar made the ball to the net 19 minutes into the second half.
Gabriel Barbosa sealed the match when he chested the ball that was passed to him by Neymar, as two minutes remained on the clock before the match ended.
Marquinhos acknowledged that Venezuela will make it difficult for them to play. He also thanked the Lord as they scored in the first half of the game.
"Here the first goal is so important to open the game up and force your opponent to play a bit more," said Marquinhos highlighting the importance of scoring goals in games like Copa America.
Meanwhile, Brazil Coach Tite said that he was experimenting with combinations during the game.
"The idea is not to lose our character, otherwise you break links the connections, you remove confidence from the athletes," said Tite, as he explained that he was seeking positional operatives.
Venezuela on Their Loss Against Brazil in Copa America 2021
Despite the loss Venezuela had to face against Brazil in the first match of Copa America, Venezuela's coach José Peseiro still praised his team for what happened.
"We could have done more, but I am proud of my boys," said Peseiro, who claimed that their team aimed to dignify Copa America and their national team. Venezuela's coach also acknowledged that the COVID-19 outbreak had an impact on their game. However, the coach noted that the pandemic would not stop him from being happy with the will and effort his team has expressed during their match against Brazil.
Venezuela was included in group B alongside Colombia, Peru, and Brazil. Apart from Brazil, Colombia also won their match with Ecuador.
After winning the match with Venezuela in the first match of Copa America, Brazil will face Peru on Thursday at the Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio De Janeiro.
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WATCH: Brazil vs Venezuela 3-0 - All Gоals & Extеndеd Hіghlіghts match - from Football Live And Highlight
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