With a fantastic performance from Neymar, who scored a goal to surpass Ronaldo in Brazil's all-time scoring list, the hosts struck early to pave the way for an easy 4-0 victory against Peru in the Copa America football tournament on Thursday night. Brazil, the defending champions, became the first team to win its first two matches in the tournament, leading Group B with six points, two ahead of Colombia, which drew 0-0 with Venezuela on the same night. Brazil had previously won 3-0 against Venezuela last Sunday.
Despite Brazilian coach Tite making several changes to the starting lineup by including Ederson, Alex Sandro, Thiago Silva, Everton, and Gabriel Barbosa, the hosts only needed 12 minutes to take the lead. Alex Sandro converted a pass from Gabriel Jesus with a direct shot from close range. With Fernandinho leading the midfield, Neymar posed a constant threat in attack as Brazil took control of the match. Neymar won a penalty, but the Video Assistant Referee intervened to overturn it before the Paris Saint-Germain player found the net in the middle of the second half, doubling Brazil's lead with a shot from outside the penalty area into Pedro Galeassi's goal.
This was Neymar's fourth goal in the last four matches for Brazil, bringing his total to 68, one ahead of Ronaldo on the national team's all-time scorers list. Neymar, tearful, stated, "It is a great honor for me to be a part of Brazil's history." Substitute Everton Ribeiro made the score 3-0 in the 89th minute after a pass from Richarlison, who capped the scoring in injury time. Alex Valera wasted Peru's best chance 12 minutes from the end when he blasted the ball over the net from close range. Brazil has won the Copa America every time it has hosted the tournament and looks like a strong contender after its ninth consecutive victory at the Olympic Stadium in Rio. Brazil scored 26 goals in these matches while conceding only twice.
