With the FIFA World Cup just around the corner, Brazil continued their ominous form by dispatching Ghana 3-0 in Le Havre, extending their unbeaten run to 14 matches with their fifth consecutive win against the Black Stars.
Brazil have forgotten what losing feels like, and their confidence was on display right from the off as they dominated proceedings. Richarlison fired over the bar from Lucas Paquetá’s cross before the latter pulled his shot just wide from Vinícius Júnior’s squared ball.
The Canarinho were soon ahead though when, after nine minutes, Marquinhos broke free from the clutches of his would-be markers to rise highest and head powerfully in from Raphinha’s corner for the opening goal of the night.
Vinícius Jr had the freedom of the left wing in the first half, and the Real Madrid man expertly picked out Raphinha at the far post with an outside of the foot pass, but he was unable to direct the ball in from close range.
The pressure continued to come from the five-time World Cup winners, and they were able to add two more goals before HT to ensure their dominance told on the scoreline.
Richarlison made up for his earlier miss when his shot from the edge of the area found the right corner, before the Tottenham Hotspur forward headed home from Neymar’s free-kick to give his team a three-goal lead at the interval.
The game, which was played in France to help reduce travel for the majority of both teams’ European based-players, lacked the tempo from the first half with Tite’s men content with their commanding lead. Otto Addo’s team did come close to pulling a goal back with the hour mark approaching when André Ayew’s header from a corner hit the bar and went over.
Ghana continued to battle away throughout the second period, but in truth they never looked like being able to restore some respectability to the scoreline. Brazil easily kept the Black Stars at bay as they continue to build momentum ahead of their quest for a sixth World Cup triumph in a couple of months’ time.
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