By Jay Forte, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Seleção thrashed El Salvador 5-0 in Washington DC on Tuesday (September 11th) in the second game of coach Tite’s team since the Russian World Cup disappointment.
The goals were scored by Neymar, Richarlison (twice), Philippe Coutinho and Marquinhos. Team captain and PSG striker Neymar scored in the early minutes of the match, his 59th goal for the Seleção.
Soon after, at 15 minutes, Richarlison scored by kicking from outside the area, marking his debut with the national team and celebrating with his famous pigeon dance.
Brazil’s third goal came in the 29th minute of the first half, with Philippe Coutinho, who hit the net with no chance for the Salvadoran goalkeeper to make a stop.
Tite took advantage of halftime break to make two changes: the entrance of Fred in place of Casemiro and Felipe instead of Dedé in the backfield.
In an inspired debut, Richarlison made the fourth Brazilian goal in the 5 minutes of the second half, taking advantage of a leftover ball. His opening act with the Seleção ended there, and soon after he left the pitch to give Lucas Paquetá some minutes.
The Brazilian coach made more changes in the first minutes of the second half, also bringing on Everton (replacing Philippe Coutinho) and Willian (for Douglas Costa). Another change occurred in the 24th minute, with the entry of Andreas Pereira for Arthur.
The match continued with some missed goals and strong saves by the Salvadoran goalkeeper Henry Hernández. The attack was boosted when defender Marquinhos entered the goal area to head-in the fifth score in the 45th minute.
He was the only one to play the entire time in the two friendlies in the United States, a deserved reward after being benched by Tite during the Russian Cup.
The win was welcomed by Brazil. “We know we suffered after the World Cup, myself particularly,” Neymar said through a translator to AP after the game.
Adding, “So to be back with the team is an honor — and to be back winning, making goals and helping my teammates in the best way possible.”
The Seleçao also beat USA on September 7th with a score of 2-0, and now sets sights on the 2019 Copa América taking place in Brazil in June 2019.