Match Report – Brazil – – – Bolivia

1:53

Philippe Coutinho helped Brazil overcome Neymar's absence by scoring twice in Brazil's 3-0 win over Bolivia in the opening match of Copa America

Neymar overseeing by far is Philippe Coutinho who won the first match of the Copa America for Brazil.

With two quick goals after the team was mocked by the crowd at half-time, Coutinho helped Brazil defeat the injured Neymar's absence in Brazil's 3-0 win over Brazil. Bolivia, Friday.

Coutinho converted a penalty shot by a video critical in the 50th minute and led a Roberto Firmino center in the 53rd, helping the hosts to overcome a dull first half that had motivated the brawling Morumbi stadium.

"Sometimes it's normal for fans to laugh, they want us to play well and win," Coutinho said. "It was a tough match, as always in the opening game – it was important to win that first win."

Everton strike in second half made 3-0 in Brazil

Substitute Everton also scored in the second half to appease Morumbi fans, allowing Brazil to win its first South American title since 2007.

Brazil's debut came with Neymar still attracting attention but he is not playing in the tournament because of an ankle injury. Neymar appeared Thursday in a police station in the middle of a media frenzy to answer questions about a rape allegation of a Brazilian who visited her in Paris.

Neymar, who denied committing a wrongdoing, posted on Twitter a picture of himself watching the game from his bed while caring for his right ankle, accompanied by a message showing his support for his former teammates.

Brazil felt the absence of Neymar in the first half, his attack having been able to do much against the Bolivian defense. The young Ajax forward David Neres, replacing Neymar in the starting lineup, could not add the spark Brazil needed in the front. Firmino and Richarlison were also unable to make a good morning, which led to half-time quips in the crowd of 46,342 spectators at Morumbi.

Brazil did not hesitate to rally the crowd in the second half. Coutinho opened the scoring after a penalty kick after video criticism determined a handball by Bolivian defender Adrian Jusino.

The midfielder quickly added the second minutes later with a close-up header past the center of Firmino's center.

Philippe Coutinho celebrates its opening for Brazil

Everton, who replaced Neres, scored the third goal with a shot from the right foot coming from outside the box, after eliminating two defenders.

"We started well but over time we did not score the goal, the team became a little too anxious," said Brazilian coach Tite. "In the second half, we were able to impose our game."

Brazil will then face Venezuela in Group A, while Bolivia will host Peru. Venezuela and Peru will play their first match on Saturday in Porto Alegre.

Brazil, eight-time Copa America champion, has won the tournament on all four previous occasions, the last time in 1989.

Brazil wore a white jersey in honor of the 100th anniversary of the team's first South American title in 1919.

Bolivia won its only Copa America title in 1963 at home. He did not go through the group stage in 2016, but qualified for the 2015 tournament quarter-finals.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was among those present at Morumbi on Friday.

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