Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho scored twice as hosts Brazil kicked off their Copa America campaign with a three-nil win over Bolivia last night.
The former Liverpool attacker opened the scoring from the penalty spot after a VAR review deemed that Richarlison's shot on goal had been blocked by the arm of Jusino early in the second-half.
🔥🇧🇷 COUTINHO!
Philippe Coutinho scores the Opening Goal of the 2019 #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/5EMgP6hRaN
— Watch Copa América 2019 live on Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) June 15, 2019
Coutinho headed in a second just three-minutes later before substitute Everton Soares wrapped up Brazil's 100th win in the history of the competition in the 85th-minute.
WHAT A MOVE!
Richarlison to Firmino to Coutinho
The Brazilians are on fire 🔥🇧🇷#CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/kuem8dSoG2
— Watch Copa América 2019 live on Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) June 15, 2019
The Selecao, who are without star Neymar through injury, had been booed and heckled by their own supporters after a poor first-half display in Sao Paulo and coach Tite says he can understand why the fans were restless.
“We felt it! Young lads feel it. The coach feels it.
“Having been at big clubs, when you sometimes don’t produce, then don’t expect the fans to understand. They will boo.
“When you pass the ball along the back, from full back to central defender to goalkeeper, the first thing you hear is, ‘BOOOOOOO!’
“We need to understand. If we get forward and create chances then they will applaud.”
Brazil have won the Copa America on all of the four previous occasions they have been hosts - the last time in 1989.
Next up for the hosts is a clash with Venezuela on Wednesday.
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