VAR and Coutinho help Brazil beat Bolivia in Copa America opener
VAR and Coutinho helped Brazil break the deadlock, opening a 3-0 victory over Bolivia in the opening match of Copa America 2019.
Brazil faced many difficulties against Bolivia in the first half of the opening match of Copa America 2019. Coach Tite's students dominated the ball but struggled against Bolivia's dense defense system.
The deadlock was only broken in the second half, when Brazil was awarded a penalty after the referee consulted VAR. This was the first time in Copa America history that a penalty was decided with the help of VAR.
The referee determined that the Bolivian defender handled the ball in the penalty area after Richarlison's kick. On the 11-meter mark, Philippe Coutinho easily defeated the opposing goalkeeper, opening the score for Brazil in the 50th minute.
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| Brazil won 3-0 against Bolivia in the opening match of Copa America 2019. Photo: Reuters |
Continuing the momentum, Brazil only needed 3 more minutes to double the gap. The scorer was still Philippe Coutinho, with a close-range header after a cross from Roberto Firmino.
The fate of the match was decided from here. In the remaining time, Brazil continued to dominate and continuously created scoring opportunities when Bolivia seemed to have surrendered.
Brazil's 3-0 victory was sealed in the 84th minute, after a spectacular dribble and finish by young substitute Everton Soares.
The resounding victory over Bolivia helped Brazil get off to a good start in the Copa America. In the next match, Brazil will face Venezuela at 7:30 a.m. on June 19, Vietnam time./.
