 |
Boosted by the return of Neymar, Brazil beat Honduras 1-0 in their final warm-up before travelling to Chile for the Copa América.
Neymar, who joined the squad on Monday after helping Barcelona win the Champions League, entered the match at half-time, when Brazil were already ahead thanks to Roberto Firmino’s 33rd-minute goal. Neymar had missed the win over Mexico in a warm-up in São Paulo on Sunday.
However, Brazil rarely threatened despite controlling a game played in steady rain, and some fans jeered after the final whistle.
The striker Robinho said afterwards: “We eased off the throttle a bit because we know the Copa América is the most important thing for us. The team is practically ready. We’ve been improving match after match.”
Firmino broke the deadlock with a left-footed shot from inside the area after a perfect feed from left-back Filipe Luís. Neymar had a goal disallowed for offside early in the second half, and he came close to scoring in the 65th minute when his shot from inside the area was barely saved by the goalkeeper.
Brazil’s coach Dunga made several changes to the starting lineup from the team that beat Mexico, replacing midfielder Elias and striker Diego Tardelli with Casemiro and Firmino. The right-back Danilo, who injured his ankle against Mexico, missed the game, and could be replaced by Barcelona’s Dani Alves in the Copa América squad.
Brazil had already lost other players because of injuries before the tournament in Chile, including playmaker Oscar, left-back Marcelo and defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo.
Brazil’s opening match in the South American tournament is against Peru on Sunday, with Colombia and Venezuela the other teams in Group C. The team travel to Chile on Friday.
Brazil have won four of the past six Copa Américas, including two of the past three, and will be eager to put on a good showing in their first official competition since the humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany in last year’s World Cup semi-final.
Neymar, who joined the squad on Monday after helping Barcelona win the Champions League, entered the match at half-time, when Brazil were already ahead thanks to Roberto Firmino’s 33rd-minute goal. Neymar had missed the win over Mexico in a warm-up in São Paulo on Sunday.
However, Brazil rarely threatened despite controlling a game played in steady rain, and some fans jeered after the final whistle.
The striker Robinho said afterwards: “We eased off the throttle a bit because we know the Copa América is the most important thing for us. The team is practically ready. We’ve been improving match after match.”
Firmino broke the deadlock with a left-footed shot from inside the area after a perfect feed from left-back Filipe Luís. Neymar had a goal disallowed for offside early in the second half, and he came close to scoring in the 65th minute when his shot from inside the area was barely saved by the goalkeeper.
Brazil’s coach Dunga made several changes to the starting lineup from the team that beat Mexico, replacing midfielder Elias and striker Diego Tardelli with Casemiro and Firmino. The right-back Danilo, who injured his ankle against Mexico, missed the game, and could be replaced by Barcelona’s Dani Alves in the Copa América squad.
Brazil had already lost other players because of injuries before the tournament in Chile, including playmaker Oscar, left-back Marcelo and defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo.
Brazil’s opening match in the South American tournament is against Peru on Sunday, with Colombia and Venezuela the other teams in Group C. The team travel to Chile on Friday.
Brazil have won four of the past six Copa Américas, including two of the past three, and will be eager to put on a good showing in their first official competition since the humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany in last year’s World Cup semi-final.
