Brazil defeats Panama before facing Egypt.
The Brazilian national team, in the absence of their injured star Neymar, crushed their Panamanian guests 6-2 in a friendly match held at the famous Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, as part of the five-time world champions' preparations for the 2026 World Cup to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Neymar is suffering from a calf muscle injury, and there are doubts about his participation in Brazil's opening match in the World Cup against the Moroccan national team on June 13 in New Jersey.
The all-time leading scorer for the Brazilian national team, with 79 goals, watched the match from the stands of the Maracanã Stadium, amidst chants from the fans calling his name, especially during the warm-up when he stepped onto the field to greet his teammates.
Vinícius Júnior, the Real Madrid forward, gave the home team an early advantage by opening the scoring in the first minute after a pass from captain Casemiro, striking the ball from outside the penalty area into the net.
The Panama national team unexpectedly equalized in the 13th minute when Mikael Murillo took a free kick that deflected off Matheus Cunha and deceived goalkeeper Alisson.
Casemiro restored Brazil's lead in the 38th minute with a precise header, capitalizing on a collaborative effort with Vinícius Júnior, ending the first half with the home team ahead 2-1.
At the start of the second half, Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti made extensive changes to his lineup, keeping only Léo Pereira from the starting formation.
The Brazilian team continued their attacking pressure, adding three goals in just ten minutes. Young Ryan, a 19-year-old player from Bournemouth, opened this scoring sequence in the 52nd minute after capitalizing on a poor pass from Panama's goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera and scoring into an empty net.
Lucas Paquetá added the fourth goal with a shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 59th minute, before Igor Thiago scored the fifth goal from a penalty in the 62nd minute, following a foul committed by goalkeeper Mosquera inside the area.
Danilo, a midfielder for Botafogo, capped off the Brazilian goal fest in the 80th minute after receiving a cross from Paquetá and dribbling past a defender before putting the ball in the net.
Panama reduced the deficit in the 83rd minute through Carlos Harvey, who unleashed a powerful shot from a distance that found the back of the net.
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