June 14 – Brazil defeated a depleted Venezuela 3-0 in the curtain raiser of the Copa America, a tournament that was shifted away from both Colombia and Argentina at the eleventh hour but has still been badly hit by the coronavirus.
Before the competition’s kick-off on Sunday, three teams recorded positive Covid-19 tests. Two members of the Colombian delegation tested positive as well as three players from Bolivia, but Venezuela were hardest hit with no less than 13 infections.
Even so, the continental minnows took some of the plaudits in their opening game against Brazil in the host’s capital for demonstrating a lot of pluck with a makeshift team.
Venezuela coach Jose Peseiro called up 15 new players to join the squad and had just three players available that started in their last game, a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. His late arrivals however ensured a respectable scoreline against the defending champions, who dominated the match without running rampant.
Marquinhos, Neymar and Gabriel Barbosa netted the goals for Tite’s team. The PSG star was in fine form, working tirelessly for his team.
Outside the stadium, demonstrators protested against Brazil hosting the continental tournament. In the past week, Brazil has recorded on average 66,000 coronavirus cases and 2,000 deaths a day. The South American country is only second to the United States in terms of coronavirus deaths, but last Thursday the Supreme Court ruled that the tournament could go ahead. Mayors and governors of the relevant states and cities however had to ensure good health protocols.
Brazil’s players also protested Conmebol’s last-minute decision to stage the tournament in the country. “We are a cohesive group, but with different ideas. For various reasons, whether humanitarian or professional, we are dissatisfied with the conduct of the Copa America by Conmebol, whether it was hosted later in Chile or even in Brazil,” said the players in a statement last week.
The tournament has been in crisis mode for weeks. Flagship sponsors Mastercard and Ambev withdrew their branding from the competition and on the eve of the finals CBF president Rogerio Caboclo, who backed the organisation of the tournament on Brazilian soil and liaised with Brazilian president and Covid-denier Jair Bolsonaro, was suspended over an allegation of sexual harassment.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1713937415labto1713937415ofdlr1713937415owedi1713937415sni@i1713937415tnuk.1713937415ardni1713937415mas1713937415
In Group A’s other game, Colombia edged past Ecuador with a single strike from Edwin Cardona in the 42nd minute.