Paris, Sept. 28 (BNA) Brazil’s rampant team crushed 10-man Tunisia 5-1 in a friendly match on Tuesday as Rafinha scored two goals and set up another in their last game before the World Cup.
It was another dominant performance by the South American giants who beat Ghana 3-0 on Friday, giving their fans plenty of reason to be excited with their young team heading to Qatar where they will bid to win a record sixth world title, Reuters reported. .
Rafinha opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a superb header from the edge of the area over goalkeeper Ayman Dahmin. But Tunisia equalized after seven minutes with a cross header from Montaser Talbi from a free kick.
Brazil returned to the front a minute later though, when Ravenha found Richarlison teetering behind the defense and the striker fired a low shot between the goalkeeper’s legs.
During the goal celebrations, a banana was thrown from the stands at Brazil players, who voiced their opposition to racism after Vinicius Junior was subjected to racist abuse by Atletico Madrid fans ahead of the derby match against Real Madrid this month.
The Brazilian Football Confederation issued a statement “strongly renouncing yet another episode of racism in football”.
“The fight against racism is not a reason, but it is a fundamental change to eliminate this type of crime from the planet. I insisted that the penalties should be more severe,” said CBF President Edinaldo Rodriguez.
Brazil boosted its lead with Neymar’s penalty kick in the 29th minute after Issa Lidoni was removed from Casemiro.
Rafinha scored his second goal with a precise low shot from the edge of the area in the 40th minute after a lightning counterattack.
Two minutes later, Tunisian defender Dylan Bron received a direct red card for his foul on Neymar.
With victory guaranteed, Brazil fell back in the second half as coach Tite sent several substitutes.
Flamengo striker Pedro, the biggest sensation in the Brazilian League this season, came in and scored the fifth goal with a superb shot for the first time from the edge of the penalty area in the 74th minute.
Brazil will open their World Cup campaign against Serbia on November 24th and will face Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G.