Our Bureau
kolkata
Brazil cruised to a 4-0 victory over India in an international friendly at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, with Samuel Lino scoring twice in the second half to cap a dominant performance by Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Chelsea winger Estevao opened the scoring in the 28th minute before setting up Pedro for Brazil’s second just before half-time. Lino, making his mark on the international stage, then struck twice after the break to complete the rout. The match was played before a crowd of around 51,000 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
India began with a disciplined defensive approach, using a compact formation and attempting to catch Brazil’s attackers offside. The strategy initially frustrated the five-time world champions, who took nearly half an hour to find the breakthrough.
Estevao eventually broke the deadlock after cutting in from the right and finishing with his left foot. Brazil doubled their advantage in the 41st minute when Estevao sent a defence-splitting pass to Pedro, who finished past goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
India showed flashes of attacking threat after the interval, with Ryan Williams and Manvir Singh coming close to scoring. However, Brazil’s greater quality soon told. Pedro set up Lino for Brazil’s third goal around the hour mark, before the Flamengo winger produced another individual effort late in the game to seal his brace.
The defeat extended India’s winless run to six matches, while Brazil concluded their Australia-India tour with two wins and a draw. Ancelotti made eight changes to the side that defeated Australia 4-2 earlier in the week, using the friendly to assess different combinations.
Despite the scoreline, Ancelotti praised India’s organisation and defensive effort, saying the hosts made it difficult for Brazil to open the scoring.