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| Roberto Firmino strike gives Brazil win over Chile in Emirates friendly | Roberto Firmino strike gives Brazil win over Chile in Emirates friendly |
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| On this evidence it all makes so much sense for Carlos Dunga to be the man entrusted to oversee Brazilian football’s rehabilitation. The essence of the old World Cup winning captain – the pragmatist, the man whose toughness defined a different, more uncompromising kind of Brazilian attitude – characterised a feisty win. | |
| Under Dunga, Brazil’s record is exemplary. Eight wins out of eight, with 18 goals scored and just two conceded. Dunga has picked up the pieces of a grand football nation reduced to tears and trauma, and made them – to use his own choice of word – more “stable”. That base has given them refreshed confidence. | Under Dunga, Brazil’s record is exemplary. Eight wins out of eight, with 18 goals scored and just two conceded. Dunga has picked up the pieces of a grand football nation reduced to tears and trauma, and made them – to use his own choice of word – more “stable”. That base has given them refreshed confidence. |
| Dunga’s satisfaction with another victory was understated but meaningful. “I am very happy with the players and the reaction they have shown in dealing with everything after the World Cup,” he said. “They are working very hard, know the responsibility they have, and are determined to change what happened in the past.” Eyes only on the future, Brazil are focused on the Copa América, which takes place in Chile this summer. It promises to be hotly competitive, which was why this was such a tasty hors d’oeuvre. | |
| For Brazil, having already defeated opponents of the calibre of Argentina and France, this rendezvous with Chile was spiky enough to bear little relation to the dictionary definition of friendly. Just as Chile began to look the more threatening as they desperately endeavoured to end a 22 year frustration since they last overcame Brazil, the best moment of attacking clarity decided the match. | For Brazil, having already defeated opponents of the calibre of Argentina and France, this rendezvous with Chile was spiky enough to bear little relation to the dictionary definition of friendly. Just as Chile began to look the more threatening as they desperately endeavoured to end a 22 year frustration since they last overcame Brazil, the best moment of attacking clarity decided the match. |
| It was a beautifully worked goal. Danilo, the Porto defender with a creative eye, steered a superb pass into the path of Roberto Firmino. The Hoffenheim striker who has worked his way into Dunga’s thoughts, skipped past Chile’s goalkeeper and with an audacious flourish looked away towards the linesman as he stroked the ball into an empty net. | It was a beautifully worked goal. Danilo, the Porto defender with a creative eye, steered a superb pass into the path of Roberto Firmino. The Hoffenheim striker who has worked his way into Dunga’s thoughts, skipped past Chile’s goalkeeper and with an audacious flourish looked away towards the linesman as he stroked the ball into an empty net. |
| Firmino wants to force his case to be one of the shining lights in this new Brazil, along with Diego Tardelli, who was injured for this gathering. Aged 23, he has two goals and one assist from his cameos so far. Philippe Coutinho, back in the squad just in time to stake a claim for the Copa América, was peripheral in an uncomfortable wide position, and strained to recreate his Liverpool verve in Brazilian yellow. Robinho, another hoping to make an impression after a long Seleção absence, came on as a substitute but it remains to be seen whether he has done enough to convince Dunga. This was, as the manager stressed, more or less a last chance to prove what they can bring before the tournament begins in Chile. | |
| The star turns, Neymar and Alexis Sánchez, had some electric moments much to the joy of an enthusiastic Emirates crowd. It wasn’t always easy considering the combative undercurrent. In the first half Gary Medel hurt Neymar with a sly stamp, and Sánchez was hauled back on several occasions as he drove goalwards. | The star turns, Neymar and Alexis Sánchez, had some electric moments much to the joy of an enthusiastic Emirates crowd. It wasn’t always easy considering the combative undercurrent. In the first half Gary Medel hurt Neymar with a sly stamp, and Sánchez was hauled back on several occasions as he drove goalwards. |
| Chile’s play, based on the high tempo pressing that caught the imagination at the World Cup, was a challenge to Brazil defensively. Jorge Sampaoli’s team missed a target man of substance, though, to really click back into gear. Sánchez tried valiantly to make something happen, but his partner, the inexperienced Pablo Hernández, found the going tough. | Chile’s play, based on the high tempo pressing that caught the imagination at the World Cup, was a challenge to Brazil defensively. Jorge Sampaoli’s team missed a target man of substance, though, to really click back into gear. Sánchez tried valiantly to make something happen, but his partner, the inexperienced Pablo Hernández, found the going tough. |
| The locals expect this to be one of the most challenging Copa Américas in recent times and pressure is already rising. Chile and Brazil dare not fail. |