Brazilians quick off the blocks

Sao Paulo, June 14

Brazil kicked off a Copa America tournament that has been opposed by some members of its own team with a 3-0 win over Venezuela here.

Marquinhos, Neymar and Gabriel Barbosa scored in the opener at the Mane Garrincha stadium in Brasilia on Sunday, less than a day after several Venezuelan players tested positive for Covid-19.

South American soccer’s governing body, CONMEBOL, chose Brazil as host less than two weeks ago, despite its alarming Covid figures, after Argentina and Colombia were dropped as co-hosts.

Despite his opposition to staging the tournament in his home country, Brazil captain Casemiro said the defending champions intended to retain their trophy.

“It could be a friendly, Copa America, World Cup qualifiers, we play it to win,” he said.

Nice move Colombia

Cuiaba (Brazil): A surprising choreographed move gave Colombia a 1-0 win against Ecuador in its first match.

Edwin Cardona scored the winner at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba in the 42nd minute of a tense game on Sunday.

The decisive moment started when midfielder Cardona took a free-kick close to the edge of the Ecuadorian penalty box. Instead of shooting, he exchanged three short passes with Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, who moved the ball forward to where Miguel Borja was waiting.

Borja headed the ball back to Cardona, who had run toward goalkeeper Pedro Ortiz and scored with a right-foot shot. — AP