Copa America: A Venezuela in a COVID crisis fell badly to a superior Brazil
Brazil, as the main favorites for the Copa America trophy, won easily against Venezuela who sadly had 13 players absent from squad selection due to COVID and injuries.
Match Information
Brazil 3-0 Venezuela
Goalscorers:
- Marquinhos 23′
- Neymar 64′ (PK)
- Gabriel Barbosa 89′
Man of Match:
Neymar – Brazil
Brazil 3-0 Venezuela match recap:
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Even though Venezuela put up a really good fight under the demanding circumstances they were faced with, it was not enough to beat the best team on the continent.
It is not easy to put up a fight against Brazil but this new Venezuelan team did and even though they lost, they should be proud of their fight and carry it over into the next few games.
La Vinotinto has had some bad luck over the past three days. 10 players tested positive for COVID, while another 3 got injured and 3 more couldn’t play against Brazil as they were not fit enough yet and have only just returned from their injury setbacks.
An overall of 16 players were missing, most of their squad basically. Venezuela only had 3 to 4 players who would have a significant role in this Copa America and 11 players debuted yesterday in a major tournament for the country.
On the other side, Brazil took the opportunity and won easily despite not having their best game. For the conditions that the Venezuelans had, Brazil was supposed to win by 5-6 goals at least.
Also, Tite made some early substitutions since he probably thought that the game was already done and dusted after the first half.
Brazil Player Ratings:
Alisson – 6.0; Renan Lodi – 5.5; Marquinhos – 8.0; Eder Militão – 7.0; Danilo – 7.5; Fred – 6.5; Casemiro – 7.0; Lucas Paqueta – 5; Neymar – 8.5; Richarlison – 6; Gabriel Jesus – 6.5
Subs: Alex Sandro – 6.0; Everton Ribeiro – 6.0; Gabriel Barbosa – 7.5; Vinicius Junior – 6.0; Fabinho – 5.0
Venezuela Player Ratings:
Joel Graterol – 4.0; Alexander González – 5.0; Adrian Martínez – 5.0; Francisco La Mantía – 5.0; Luis Mago – 6.0; Yohan Cumana 4.0; Junior Moreno – 5.0; Christian Cásseres Jr. – 6.0; Bernaldo Manzano – 5.0; José Martínez – 6.5; Fernando Aristiguieta – 5.0
Subs: Sergio Cordova – 5.0; Ronald Hernandez – 4.0; Richard Celis – 3.0; Edson Castillo – 4.0
Is Brazil winning this Copa America without any difficulty?
Venezuela is not the toughest team in the competition but Brazil has won their last few games with ease, giving the impression that this tournament would be simple for them and they would continue to dominate. Brazil’s next game is on June 17th against Perú.
On the other hand, Venezuela needs their luck to turn. If they can get some of the doubtful players fit in time and some negative COVID tests, they could get the ball rolling.
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Despite the result in their opening game, the Venezuelan fans are somehow relieved that this new team seems hungry and that they are going to leave everything on the field.
Their next game is against Colombia on June 17th.