Copa America 2021: Brazil routs Venzuela, Colombia narrows past Ecuador

The 47th edition of Copa America got underway from Sunday, with host and defending champion Brazil starting proceedings with a win. Meanwhile, Colombia also featured in the second game on the opening day, registering a win.

The 2021 Copa America is underway in Brazil since Sunday night. The host is also the nine-time defending champion and would look to maintain its clean record of winning as host for the sixth time.

The opening day saw a couple of matches take place, as both of them produced results. On the same note, we present the round-up from Matchday 1.

Brazil breezes past Venezuela
In the tournament's opening game, host Brazil faced off against Venezuela at the Estádio Nacional de Brasília. The host was off to an attacking start, and after a couple of missed chances, Marquinhos put the defending champion ahead in a cheeky manner, in the 25th minute, as it led at half-time.

The second half saw a higher intensity from Venezuela, limiting Brazil's attacking approach. Nevertheless, it was a 64th-minute penalty that Neymar successfully converted to double its lead. At the same time, he assisted Gabriel Barbosa in the 89th minute for the latter to score the winner and hand Brazil the opening win of the tournament.

Stats
- Brazil is on a 21-game unbeaten streak in the tournament in its home country since 1975.
- Since Neymar's debut in Copa America, he has created the most chances in a tournament game (7), the most by any Brazilian.

Colombia struggles past Ecuador
In the second game of the opening day, Colombia took on Ecuador at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba. It was an intense game right from the start, with both sides pressing hard. However, Edwin Cardona scored the opener in the 42nd minute through Miguel Borja's assist. It eventually turned out to be the winner, as none of the sides found the back of the net.

Stats
- Miguel Borja was involved in two goals consecutively for the first time in his Colombia career, scoring in the last game against Argentina.
- It is the first time since 20221 that Colombia has beaten Ecuador in the tournament, during which it won the competition.

 
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