Several call-ups who are currently considered backups made a great impression this Sunday (31).
And the friendly against Panama had the effect Ancelotti & Co. were hoping for.
With strong performances from the substitutes and Vini Jr. and Casemiro shining in the first half, Brazil posted a tennis scoreline: 6-2 in front of 72,140 fans at the Maracanã.
Advertisement
Now, the team heads to the United States focused on the next stage of its World Cup preparation.
🔥 Vini Jr. ON FIRE and… an unexpected response
Brazil were already ahead before the clock had even reached one minute of play.
Casemiro won the ball back, the No. 7 burst forward leaving Córdoba behind, and then finished beautifully.
That same Vini Jr. took charge again shortly after.
Brazil controlled the game and looked to find more space.
Then Panama were awarded a free kick.
Michael Murillo took it, Matheus Cunha got a touch, and Panama scored after the ball completely changed direction (14′).
Brazil’s mission was to find new openings against a fired-up opponent.
Advertisement
And it was the Concacaf side that forced Alisson into action in the 32nd minute after an effort from Ismael DÃaz.
Vini Jr. + Casemiro = âš½
The tension eased in the 39th minute. Another move from the No. 7 ended with a header from Casemiro, who celebrated his 11th goal of the season after getting a touch.
The assistant initially flagged for offside, but VAR said otherwise.
Raphinha also had a big chance to extend the lead.
And at the other end, Waterman tested Alisson deep into stoppage time.
🤯 TEN changes for the second half
The expectation of several changes for the second half was confirmed.
There were ten changes. Only Léo Pereira stayed on because of the absence of Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães.
Advertisement
Weverton was the only player in the squad who did not get a chance.
And RAYAN got on the scoresheet today 🎶
One of the call-ups who really took off in the final stretch of the season, Rayan needed only eight minutes to score his first goal for Brazil.
The rout was sealed shortly afterward when Paquetá finished off a slick passing move (60′).
And Igor Thiago, the Brazilian with the most goals in a single PL season, converted the penalty he had won himself (63′).
Stunners at both ends
And speaking of a player who surged in the final stretch with the World Cup in mind…
Paquetá capped off his strong display by setting up Danilo Santos.
Advertisement
And the Botafogo midfielder produced a beauty, even sending Roderick Miller to the ground.
There was still time for Harvey to pull one back in style, leaving Ederson with no chance.
Eye on the schedule 📅
Brazil will play their final friendly on the 6th, when they face Egypt in Cleveland.
Then comes the World Cup. Matches against Morocco (6/13), Haiti (6/19), and Scotland (6/24) in Group C.
Panama, meanwhile, who will play in the second World Cup of their history, still have two more friendlies: against the Dominican Republic (6/3) and Bosnia (6/6).
They are in World Cup Group L and will face Ghana (6/17), Croatia (6/23), and England (6/27).
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
Read the full article here