06-15-2019, 05:41 PM
Phillipe Coutinho scored a Brace as hosts Brazil started the 2019 Copa America tournament with a 3-0 win against Bolivia, MySportDab reports.
Brazil felt Neymar's absence in the first half, with its attack unable to do much against the Bolivian defense.
Young Ajax forward David Neres, replacing Neymar in the starting lineup, couldn't add the spark Brazil needed up front.
Firmino and Richarlison also couldn't get anything going early on, leading to the halftime jeers by most in the crowd of 46,342 at the Morumbi.
It didn't take long for Brazil to get the crowd back on board in the second half, with Coutinho opened the scoring from the penalty spot after video review determined a handball by Bolivia defender Adrian Jusino.
The midfielder quickly added the second minutes later with a close-range header after Firmino's well-placed cross.
Everton, who replaced Neres, scred the third goal with a right-footed shot from outside the area after clearing a couple of defenders.
"We started well but as the time passed and we didn't score the team got a bit too anxious," Brazil coach Tite said.
"In the second half we were able to impose our game."
Brazil next faces Venezuela in Group A, while Bolivia hosts Peru.
Watch Video;
See;https://www.mysportdab.com/2019/06/2019-copa-america-brazil-3-0-bolivia.html
Brazil felt Neymar's absence in the first half, with its attack unable to do much against the Bolivian defense.
Young Ajax forward David Neres, replacing Neymar in the starting lineup, couldn't add the spark Brazil needed up front.
Firmino and Richarlison also couldn't get anything going early on, leading to the halftime jeers by most in the crowd of 46,342 at the Morumbi.
It didn't take long for Brazil to get the crowd back on board in the second half, with Coutinho opened the scoring from the penalty spot after video review determined a handball by Bolivia defender Adrian Jusino.
The midfielder quickly added the second minutes later with a close-range header after Firmino's well-placed cross.
Everton, who replaced Neres, scred the third goal with a right-footed shot from outside the area after clearing a couple of defenders.
"We started well but as the time passed and we didn't score the team got a bit too anxious," Brazil coach Tite said.
"In the second half we were able to impose our game."
Brazil next faces Venezuela in Group A, while Bolivia hosts Peru.
Watch Video;
See;https://www.mysportdab.com/2019/06/2019-copa-america-brazil-3-0-bolivia.html