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Brazil overcame a stubborn Bolivia side 3-0 in Sau Paulo for the inaugural match of the Copa America, thanks to a brace from Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho. After a tense first half where Brazil enjoyed the bulk of the posession but failed to break down a well drilled La Verde side, Coutinho broke the schackles in the 50th minute, converting a penalty after a Richarilson strike hit the arm of Bolivian defender Jusino in the box.
Coutinho grabbed his second 3 minutes later, heading the ball into an empty net after a delicious cross from Liverpool front-man Roberto Firmino. Sustitute Everton Soares scored a sensational third 5 minutes from full time, cutting in from the left flank to curl a superb long ranger past Bolivian goalkeeper Carlos Lampe
With this win, Brazil race to the top of Group A which also features Venezuela and Peru. Brazil are just one victory away from reaching 100 wins in their Copa America history (178 games played, Wins-99).
Let us take a look at the 5 hits and flops from the match
Also see : Copa America Standings, Liverpool Tranfer News
#5 Hit - Filipe Luis (Brazil, Atletico Madrid)
Atletico Madrid left wingback Filipe Luis has always been considered an understudy to Real Madrid's Marcelo. With the Los Blancos man dropped from the Selecao squad after a dismal season at the Bernebeu, Luis was promted to first choice left back and the Atleti man seems to have grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
The 33-year-old was a constant thorn on Bolivia's side, completing an impressive pass success rate of 93%, with 4 dribbles completed, bamboozling La Verde rightback Bejarano on more than one occassion. He was neat in defence, calmly building attacks from the back and completed three excellent tackles.
Match Stats (as per WhoScored.com)
Pass Success-93%
Dribbles Completed-4
Aerials Won-3
Tackles Completed-3
#4 - Flop: Fernando Saucedo (Bolivia, Jorge Wilstermann)
Jorge Wilstermann's 29-year-old defensive midfielder Fernando Saucedo had a poor outing against Brazil's central midfield of Fernandinho, Casemiro and Philippe Coutinho. Saucedo put unncessary early pressure on his side by being booked in the 19th minute for a rash, unwarranted elbow to Casemiro's neck.
Saucedo was erratic in his passing and managed an abysmal 50% pass success rate and failed to put any real pressure on Brazil's midfielders as the repeatedly retained posession on the middle of the park.
Match Stats (as per WhoScored.com)
Pass Success:50%
Dribbles Completed-0
Disposessed-1
#3 - Flop: Adrian Jusino (Bolivia, Bolivar)
Bolivia's fantastic defensive work in the first half, where they managed to contain Brazil, was undone with a mistake from centre-back Adrian Jusino early in the second period.
The 26-year-old Bolivar player failed to keep his arms behind his back when blocking a fierce Richarlison shot, the referee awarding a penalty after VAR showed that the ball had clearly struck the Bolivian defender.
Match Stats (as per WhoScored.com)
Pass Success-73%
Aerials Won-1
Tackles Completed-0
Disposessed-0
#2 - Hit: Everton Soares (Brazil, Gremio)
Many eyebrows were raised when Tite decided to pick 23-year-old Everton Soares of Gremio for his Copa squad, ahead of more established names like Tottenham's Lucas Moura or Juventus' Douglas Costa.
The youngster has silenced his detractors with a sensational substitute performance, coming off the bench in the 81st minute to display some superb, pacy wingplay down the left flank and grab a sensational solo goal.
Soares has been tearing up the Brasilerao for some seasons now and has started the 2019 season in electric form, grabbing 3 goals in the opening 6 games. He has also been sensational in the Copa Libertadores, scoring 7 goals to push Gremio into the Round of 16.
Match Stats (as per WhoScored.com)
Pass Success: 100%
Dribbles Completed-1
Disposessed-0
Shot-1
Goals-1
#1 - Hit: Philippe Coutinho (Brazil, Barcelona)
Many pundits were sceptical about whether Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho can shoulder the burden of being the Brazil talisman due to the absence of star attacker Neymar.
Early signs look promising that the 27-year-old can excel in that role, with the mercurial 'Little Magician' putting in a man-of-the-match display, grabbing a cool brace.
Coutinho seems to have put an underwhelming Barcelona season behind him, where he managed only 11 goals and 5 assists, failing to nail down a starting spot with intense competition from Frechman Ousmane Dembele.
The Copa seems to be an ideal opportunity for the former Liverpool man to regain his form and show the world that he can get back to his best.
Match Stats (as per WhoScored.com)
Pass Success: 93%
Dribbles Completed-2
Shots-5
Goals-2
