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International Friendly: Brazil vs Panama

Brazil Routes Panama in Final Copa Warmup

BY DEVIN LAWRENCE WILBER
May 29th, 2016

COMMERCE CITY, CO - No Neymar. No problem. With the "Championship of the Americas" right around the corner, and without many of their star players and their superstar striker, many questions have arose about the Brazilian National Team roster headed into the Copa Americà.

You could feel the electricity in the air Sunday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park as Brazil took on Panama in their last international friendly before the Copa Americà. Brazil would go on to blank Panama 2-0 in dominating fashion.

With rain falling and storm clouds overhead, lighting struck early for Brazil as No. 9 Jonas found the back of the net with a left footed strike from the middle of the box in the 2nd minute. The goal marked end of a nine match drought for the 32 year old striker and gave Brazil a 1-0 lead.

Brazil dominated the pitch keeping possession 64% of the match, while taking a total of 20 shots, 6 on goal. Brazil pressed forward most of the match playing through Dani Alves and Willian down the left side of the pitch, producing multiple goal chances for the Brazilians.

The defensive play from both teams was very physical as they combined for 30 fouls (13 PANAMA / 17 BRAZIL) and 7 yellow cards (3 PANAMA / 4 BRAZIL).

Goal keeper Jaime Penedo kept the game from getting away from Panama in the first half, with three saves, including a incredible diving save to keep out a long strike from Dani Alves near top right corner. At the break the score was 1-0 Brazil.

The second half brought no change in momentum, as Brazil continued to dominate the match for most of half, forcing Panama to make some strategic substitutions on the backline and in the midfield. Brazil countered with substitutions of their own, including the addition of fan favorite and veteran wing Hulk.

Following multiple crosses and strikes from distance, Brazil almost capitalized on a 3-on-1 break as Jonas crossed to Hulk for a spectacular header that barely missed off the crossbar.

After two bad fouls led to yellows for both Willian and Dani Alves in the 49' and 65', both were subbed out. The crowd erupted as the fan favorite and recent addition to the squad Kakà was subbed in.

A new star was born in the 73rd minute when Gabriel's left footed strike from distance found the bottom left corner of the goal to give Brazil a 2-0 lead. The 19 year old striker chose the perfect time to score his first career international goal, almost sealing the win for Brazil late in the match.

Panama attacked in extra time as Alberto Quintero took a shot on goal from midfield, almost sneaking it into the top right corner, which proved to be Panama's last chance.

The match ended 2-0 in favor of Brazil, leaving the Panama fans, players, and coaches with only questions headed into this weekend's match vs Bolivia. Brazil will now take on Ecuador this Saturday at the Rose Bowl in Pasedena, CA, having answered any questions about their squad without Neymar and their other stars and will head into the Copa Americà with momentum.