Brazil got their FIFA World Cup preparations off to a flying start with a commanding 6-2 victory over Panama at the Estadio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.
The home side were up and running inside the opening minute when Vinicius Junior pounced on a midfield error by Yoel Barcenas and fired home from distance to send a packed Maracanã into raptures.
Panama, however, refused to roll over. They drew level just before the quarter-hour mark through a Michael Murillo free kick that took a heavy deflection off the wall, wrong-footed Alisson, and crept into the far corner, the goal ultimately credited as an own goal to the unfortunate Matheus Cunha. The Central Americans continued to press and came close to taking a shock lead on more than one occasion.
Brazil restored their advantage just before the break, with Vinicius’ effort helped over the line by Casemiro, who was confirmed onside by VAR.
Carlo Ancelotti rang the changes at half-time, bringing on ten new players, and the fresh legs only seemed to sharpen Brazil further. Rayan, the Bournemouth forward, curled home a brilliant finish after capitalising on a poor clearance from goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, his first senior international goal in only his second cap.
The goals kept coming. Lucas Paquetá stroked home a fourth after good work from Douglas Santos, before Igor Thiago coolly converted a penalty after being brought down in the box. Danilo Santos then rounded off the scoring with a fine individual finish from Paquetá’s clever lofted pass.
Panama did themselves credit, though, grabbing a second late on through a stunning 25-yard strike from Carlos Harvey that gave Ederson no chance — arguably the goal of the match.
Brazil now travel to the United States for a final friendly against Egypt before their World Cup opener against Morocco in just under a fortnight. Panama, meanwhile, turn their attention to their own tournament curtain-raiser against Ghana in 17 days’ time.
