Neymar, goal-oriented and supportive, helped the audience open their campaign with a 3-0 win over Brasilia.
Brazil started the Copa America 2021 with a 3-0 win over COVID that beat Venezuela when the contested tournament kicked off in Brasilia on Sunday.
Marquinhos, Neymar and Gabriel Barbosa played in the opening game at Mane Garrincha Stadium on Sunday, less than a day after several Venezuelan players were tested by COVID-19.
The South American football governing body, CONMEBOL, has chosen Brazil to participate in the last two weeks despite having dangerous figures for COVID-19, Argentina and Colombia being removed from the deal.
Although he denied that the match would take place in his home country, Brazilian captain Casemiro said the defending players wanted to retain their trophy.
“It could be a competitive game, a Copa America or a World Cup game, we play to win,” Casemiro said after winning his team.
“Venezuela had a defensive idea, they wanted influence. But we were busy and we were violent in the last third round.”
Venezuela has recruited 15 new players recently after being tested by eight members of COVID-19 on Saturday, with damage to the field.
Brazil opened the scoring 23 minutes after a corner kick when Marquinhos hit close.
Brazilian captain Tite – who also refused to take part in the tournament – took Lucas Paqueta on a break, but kept Roberto Firmino on the bench. Instead, Everton Ribeiro went on to offer more on the right.
Ribeiro found Danilo to the right of the box, and the Brazilian was pushed down. Neymar scored calmly from 63e to make it 2-0.
Neymar crossed the Graterol crossing Barbosa to throw the ball into the empty net at 89e to seal the win at home.
Elsewhere, Edwin Cardona scored the only goal of the game as Colombia advanced to the second half to start their Group B campaign with a 1-0 win over Ecuador.
Edwin Cardona scored the only goal of the game as Colombia beat Ecuador 1-0 [Carla Carniel/Reuters]
