Neymar stars as Brazil open Copa campaign with humbling of Venezuela

Hosts Brazil opened up their 2021 Copa America campaign with a dominant 3-0 win over Venezuela at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia to begin their title defence in the best possible way.

PSG captain Marquinhos opened the scoring for the Selecao before Neymar added a second from the penalty spot. Former Inter Milan striker Gabriel Barbosa scored his side’s third in the 89th minute of the game as they ran out easy 3-0 winners. Neymar’s second-half strike meant that he is now only 10 goals away from equalling Pele’s record goals tally for the Brazilian national team.

In Group B’s other game, Edwin Cardona scored the lone goal as Colombia ran out 1-0 winners in their tie against Ecuador, putting them in second place on the group log.