Critics blamed the pricing of tickets for the low attendance despite Brazil’s top stars including Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior and Marquinhos in the line-up. Five-time World Cup winners Brazil showed glimpses of their class in a 4-0 win over India in a rare football friendly between the two nations in Kolkata on Saturday. India’s hosting of a senior men’s Brazil team for the first time had created buzz but a half-empty 65,000-capacity Salt Lake Stadium stadium greeted the players.
Brazil dominated play with Vinicius denied by a brave save from Indian goalkeeper and captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu as early as the eighth minute. India’s forward line had a few good runs at the opposition goal, before Chelsea forward Estevao put Brazil ahead in the 28th minute with a quick left-foot shot that beat Gurpreet. The goal rattled India’s strategy and defence as Pedro doubled the lead in the 42nd minute. Every Indian move was cheered by a raucous home crowd and Manvir Singh raised the volume when his powerful strike in the 55th minute drew a fine save. Samuel Lino came off the bench in the second half in place of Vinicius and drilled in a third for Brazil in the 58th minute to make India pay for sloppy defending.
Lino scored his second just before the final whistle to make it 4-0.
