Brazil "do a Germany" as they hammer hapless Haiti
Eight-times Copa América champions Brazil matched their mauling by Germany at World Cup 2014 in beating lowly Haiti 7-1 to record their first win of the tournament
Philippe Coutinho bagged a hat-trick as Brazil ramped up their Copa America campaign with a resounding 7-1 win over a hapless Haiti on Wednesday night. Renato Augusto scored a brace and substitutes Lucas Lima and Gabriel also netted for Brazil, while James Marcelin put in Haiti's consolation goal.
Brazil do a Germany
The scoreline -- identical to Brazil's nightmare 7-1 defeat by Germany in the World Cup semi-final two years ago – takes Brazil to the top of Group B with four points.
Coutinho got Brazil off to a positive start in the Camping World stadium with a goal after 14 minutes when he skipped past a defender and hammered home from 20 metres out. He doubled Brazil's lead 15 minutes later thanks to Jonas, who was on hand to poke a loose ball across goal and leave the Liverpool player with the simplest of tap-ins. Renato Augusto made it three in 35 minutes when he rose unmarked to head home a cross from the right.
Although the eight-times Copa America champions appeared to take their foot off the pedal in the second half, they still created chances at will against 74th-ranked Haiti. Gabriel scored the fourth just 13 minutes after replacing Jonas at half-time and his Santos team mate Lucas Lima nodded home a Dani Alves cross eight minutes later.
Haitian striker Marcelin delighted the Caribbean contingent in the Orlando crowd by hammering in a rebound but Renato Augusto restored Brazil's five-goal advantage when he seized on a loose pass and side-footed home from 20 metres.
Coutinho completed his hat trick in the final minute of injury time with a trademark 25-metre strike.
Peru 2 - 2 Ecuador
Elsewhere in group B on Wednesday, Ecuador frustrated Peru's hopes of sealing their Copa America Centenario quarter-final berth, fighting back from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw.
A superb strike from West Ham's Enner Valencia and a second half effort from Brazil-based midfielder Miller Bolanos completed a gutsy fightback for Ecuador who had earlier gone 2-0 down inside the first 13 minutes.
Group B evenly poised
Peru, who had beaten Haiti in their opening Group B game on Saturday, appeared to be cruising into the last eight after the early efforts from Christian Cueva and Edison Flores. But Ecuador's fightback leaves Group B evenly poised heading into the final round of games.
Brazil next face Peru on Sunday, while Haiti will take on Ecuador.