Brazil Defeats India

Brazil, the five-time world champions, showed glimpses of their high class with a 4-0 victory over India in an unprecedented friendly football match between the two countries in Kolkata yesterday. India’s decision to host the Brazilian men’s national team for the first time generated great excitement, but the players entered the 65,000-capacity Salt Lake Stadium to find the stands only half full. Critics blamed ticket prices for the low attendance, despite the presence of Brazil’s star players, including Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior and Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos. The cheapest tickets were priced at 999 rupees ($10), but they sold out within minutes of going on sale online, while higher tiers ranged from 3,500 to 25,000 rupees ($36 to $260). Ranked 138th in the world, India is seeking to boost the sport’s popularity in a country of 1.4 billion people, where cricket reigns supreme. Chelsea’s Estevao gave Brazil the lead in the 28th minute with a quick left-footed shot that beat Gurpreet Singh into the net. The goal disrupted India’s plans and defense, before Pedro doubled the lead in the 42nd minute by again outmaneuvering Gurpreet, sending Brazil into halftime with a two-goal cushion. The Brazilian yellow shirts dominated the stands, and Carlo Ancelotti’s side did not disappoint with their fluid performance. However, every Indian attack was met with loud cheers from the local crowd. Manvir Singh ignited the stands with a powerful shot in the 55th minute, which Brazilian goalkeeper Pedro Morales saved. Samuel Lino came on in the second half for Vinicius and fired a strong shot to score Brazil’s third goal in the 58th minute, punishing India’s lax defense. Brazil survived several dangerous attempts by Indian attackers, but Morales remained calm and kept his goal clean, before Lino scored his second just before the final whistle, confirming his team’s superiority.