Brazil Give Emphatic Response to Critics in Rout of Haiti at Copa America
Cue the jokes, then. Yes, it may only have been Haiti, but Brazil put on a masterclass with their 7-1 mauling of their more-than-obliging opponents on Wednesday evening in the Copa America Centenario.
The scoreline is one that has haunted Brazil for nigh on two years. While a group-stage win over probably the weakest side in this tournament will not exorcise any lingering ghosts, coach Dunga has at least managed to quieten his most fervent critics. For the time being, at least.
Picking the same team that sleepwalked to a goalless draw against Ecuador at the weekend, this was a side determined to show they were still capable of putting on a show. They did just that, and then some. In truth, had the Selecao not been so profligate in front of goal, they could easily have got into double figures.
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The last time Brazil won so emphatically in competitive football was the 6-1 thrashing of Chile at the 2007 Copa America. The coach then? Dunga.
The pluses were multiple. There was a hat-trick for Philippe Coutinho, something that may make Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool groan inwardly as his list of suitors grows ever longer.
In the second half, there was a hugely promising display from young Santos forward Gabriel. He scored just 13 minutes after coming on—an excellent, low and precise finish after Elias teed him up.
The 19-year old, the first teenager to score in this competition since Neymar (read into that what you will), could have had a hat-trick and will be kicking himself that he was not as accurate in front of goal, given he was provided with such obliging opponents.
At times, there was room for a tractor to be driven through the spaces left in the Haiti midfield. Brazil could have likely piled Lucas Lima and Paulo Henrique Ganso into the midfield and enjoyed a field day.
There was also a brace for Renato Augusto and a fine, looping header from Lima. Even Dunga himself seemed to be in the mood for entertaining, removing Casemiro for Lima and playing a part of the game without a recognised enforcer in the middle of the park.
The fact that Haiti managed to get one back may mean the boss reverts to type for this Sunday's final group game against Peru. Casemiro, who picked up a second yellow card of the tournament, will now serve a suspension at the weekend.
That could well mean Walace or Rodrigo Caio start in holding midfield, but this was a night to remember for a coach who has faced a lambasting in the nation's press over recent days. But while Dunga may well start to feel vindicated for his choices of personnel and playing style, this game belonged to Coutinho.
Two scorching efforts sandwiched a simple finish, and the playmaker—with his first goals in competitive games for his country—is gradually showing his worth to the national side. Arguably battling with Bayern Munich's Douglas Costa for that left-sided starting position, the Liverpool player is doing all he can to make that berth his own.
As is his young team-mate, Gabriel. In the last two matches, the 19-year-old has come on as a direct replacement for Jonas, and the coach has asked him to lead the line.
While his finishing left a little to be desired in the second 45, his pace, determination and desire to run directly at the defence sent shivers down the Haitian spine and demonstrated the difference he can bring to the side over the less mobile Jonas.
The Benfica forward worked hard in the first half, helping to create the second goal of the game for Coutinho. But when presented with an opening, he could not find a way through, and he misplaced passes when attempting to link the play in the final third. He is not blessed with the pace or direction of his teenage rival.
In theory, Gabriel could play alongside Jonas, as the pair did against Panama in the warm-up friendly prior to the Copa America. Yet the evidence from the last two matches clearly indicates that Dunga now sees them as in direct competition for one spot in the team.
Gabriel's second-half performance against Haiti may feasibly have tipped the balance in his favour. It would be little surprise if Dunga turned to the youngster to start against Peru this Sunday, which the Selecao will need to win to guarantee topping the group and avoiding a tough Colombia side in the quarter-finals.
Brazil have seen a certain evolution over the last seven days or so. Clearly, no one will be claiming the Selecao are ready to challenge international football's super powers because they have disposed of Haiti with such ease.
Haiti offered little resistance, and it is a tough ask to offer conclusive analysis of the Brazilians' true potential to be crowned champions at this tournament based solely on these offerings.
But Brazil used the opportunity to send a message to their competitors at the Copa America. Key names may be missing and the system may still need fine-tuning, but this side is still a threat.
Dunga has key decisions to make ahead of the final group game. His goalkeeper, Alisson, who was lucky to see Ecuador's goal chalked off in the opener, could also have done better with the Haitian goal on Wednesday, failing to get enough force on the ball when palming away from goal.
Miranda could also return in the centre of defence, and Dunga would be likely to turn to one of his most trusted players if available. Having experimented with dropping Renato Augusto into the holding midfield role in the second half and switching to a 4-2-3-1, he must also decide who will deputise for Casemiro against Peru.
But for now, this is an occasion to be enjoyed. Playing Haiti was a potential accident waiting to happen, and the hurdle was cleared with aplomb.
After the blitz at the Mineirao in the 2014 World Cup semi-final, there will be no prizes for guessing the theme of Thursday's headlines in the Brazilian press.
It ended 7-1 in Brazil's favour. Is that enough to forget the onslaught in Belo Horizonte? Not even close. But the Selecao did what was required—and in style. Time for satisfied reflection will be short, but Dunga and his players can savour this moment.
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