Brazil 3-0 Bolivia: Hosts start with convincing win

Hosts Brazil kicked off the 2019 with a 3-0 win over Bolivia with all of their goals coming in the second half.

The Samba Boys were jeered by their own fans at half-time having gone in scoreless before a Philippe Coutinho penalty gave them a 1-0 lead five minutes into the second half.

Coutinho added a second only three minutes later before Gremio forward Everton made it 3-0 five minutes from time.

Bolivia rarely threatened Alisson’s goal, producing just one shot on target over the duration of 90 minutes.

The Morumbi stadium was around 70% full for the opening game of the 2019 Copa America, the majority of them Brazilian, booed at the break following a goalless first half in the opening Group A match.

Brazil, who are without Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar due to a ankle ligament injury, started with Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino up front, flanked by Coutinho and Everton’s Richarlison.

They record World Cup winners are hosting the Copa America for the first time since 1989, with all 10 South American teams taking part, along with guest nations Qatar and Japan.

In the second Group A game, Peru face Venezuela in Porto Alegre on Saturday. Brazil’s next game is against Venezuela in Salvador on Tuesday.