Hosts Brazil began the defence of their Copa America title with a comfortable victory over a Covid-affected Venezuela in the tournament’s opening match.
Talisman Neymar scored one and assisted another, adding a second for Tite’s side with a second-half penalty before setting up Gabriel Barbosa late on.
Paris St-Germain defender Marquinhos bundled in a 23rd-minute opener after Venezuela failed to clear a corner.
Nine-time winners Brazil won a first Copa America title in 12 years in 2019.
Twelve of Venezuela’s players and coaching staff tested positive for Covid-19 a day before their opening match in Group A, which also includes Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Everton forward Richarlison had a first-half goal disallowed for offside and Neymar missed from close range as Brazil initially struggled to make their dominance count.
Neymar scored his 67th international goal after Yohan Cumana fouled Danilo, but he missed another great chance to move closer to Pele’s national record of 77, shooting wide after breaking through the Venezuela defence in the closing stages.
The PSG forward then rounded goalkeeper Joel Graterol before squaring to substitute Barbosa for a tap-in.
The 47th edition of the Copa America – delayed a year because of the coronavirus outbreak – is taking place in Brazil, after Colombia and Argentina were stripped of the tournament.
The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) removed Colombia as co-hosts in May amid anti-government protests and Argentina were later replaced because of rising Covid-19 cases in the country.
The BBC is broadcasting all 28 games from the 2021 Copa America, which runs until 10 July and features the 10 Conmebol nations.
Line-ups
Brazil
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Alisson
- 2Danilo
- 14Militão
- 4Marquinhos
- 16Lodi dos SantosBooked at 38minsSubstituted forLobo Silvaat 45′minutes
- 17Tolentino Coelho de LimaSubstituted forde Barros Ribeiroat 45′minutes
- 5Casemiro
- 8FredSubstituted forFabinhoat 85′minutes
- 9Gabriel JesusSubstituted forVinícius Júniorat 85′minutes
- 7RicharlisonSubstituted forBarbosa Almeidaat 65′minutesBooked at 66mins
- 10Neymar
Substitutes
- 3Thiago Silva
- 6Lobo Silva
- 11de Barros Ribeiro
- 12Pereira da Silva
- 13Leite de Souza Junior
- 15Fabinho
- 18Vinícius Júnior
- 19Sousa Soares
- 20Firmino
- 21Barbosa Almeida
- 22Felipe
- 23Ederson
Venezuela
Formation 5-4-1
- 12Graterol
- 21GonzálezSubstituted forHernándezat 90+2′minutes
- 8La Mantia
- 28Martínez
- 14Del PinoBooked at 80mins
- 27Cumaná
- 13Martínez
- 5Moreno
- 24ManzanoBooked at 69minsSubstituted forCelisat 77′minutes
- 23Cásseres JrSubstituted forCastilloat 84′minutes
- 9AristeguietaSubstituted forCórdovaat 77′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Fariñez
- 11Córdova
- 15Murillo
- 20Hernández
- 22Romero
- 25Celis
- 26Castillo
- Referee:
- Esteban Ostojich
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Brazil 3, Venezuela 0.
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Second Half ends, Brazil 3, Venezuela 0.
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Hand ball by Richard Celis (Venezuela).
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Substitution, Venezuela. Ronald Hernández replaces Alexander González.
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Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Alexander González (Venezuela).
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Casemiro (Brazil) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Richard Celis (Venezuela).
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Goal! Brazil 3, Venezuela 0. Gabi (Brazil) with an attempt from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Neymar.
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Foul by Everton Ribeiro (Brazil).
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Júnior Moreno (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Brazil. Fabinho replaces Fred.
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Substitution, Brazil. Vinícius Júnior replaces Gabriel Jesus.
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Substitution, Venezuela. Edson Castillo replaces Cristian Cásseres Jr.
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Corner, Brazil. Conceded by Joel Graterol.
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Attempt saved. Neymar (Brazil) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Gabi.
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Attempt saved. Casemiro (Brazil) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Fred.
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Luis Del Pino (Venezuela) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Gabi (Brazil) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Luis Del Pino (Venezuela).
