Competent Brazil see off Bolivia in Copa América opener

Brazil got their 2019 Copa America campaign off to a winning start in Sao Paolo tonight with a workman-like performance over a poor Bolivia side. 

After a dreary first half performance that had frustrated fans at the Morumbi stadium whistling at the half time break, the second half saw Brazil secure the opening goal they desperately craved. 

Jusino's contact with the ball in the Bolivia area was reviewd by VAR with Coutinho burying the resulting spot kick. 

The Barça player was on hand again just three minutes to double the home side's lead heading home from close distance.

Gremio's Everton scored the best goal of the night driving home after some fine individual work.

Sterner tests will lie ahead for Tite's side and it's unlikely Brazil will face another side in the competition lacking the class and lack of ambition as was displayed by "LaVerde" 

That's all we have time for in Sao Paolo as Pitana calls time on the game. 

We´ll have 4 minutes of time added on as Willian goes close for the home side. 

Ball finds Willian but the Chelsea player was taken by surprise and failed to get a shot off 

Becker called into action as Vaca finally tests the Liverpool keeper

Less than 5' to go. Far, far too easy for Tite's side tonight who have cruised to a more than comfortable win over a Bolivia side void of any drive, creativity and desire to chanllenge the host nation.

Great solo effort from the Brazil No. 19 as the Gremio player cuts in and fires in a fierce right footed drive

Willian on for Brazil, Richarlison makes way

Brazi: Neres off- Everton on

Delightful work from Gabriel Jesus who tricks his man and deliveres a fine ball with no-one in a white shirt

Thiago Silva takes a knock and needs treatment

Spot on from Gabriel. Bolivia have offered nothing in attack, noting that Alisson has had nothing to do after 75 mins.

Bolivia: Castro/Vaca (R) on 

Brazil still dominating all aspects of the match ...

Brazil edging twoards the third goal of the night with Gabriel Jesus giving the side an added impetus.

Great work again from Neres as Brazil go close with Fernandinho almost hitting the third of night. 

Into the final 20'. Cannot see a way back for Bolivia with Alisson Becker yet to be called into action this evening.

Coutinho carded (violent conduct)

Gabriel Jesus quickly into the action firing on target with the ball deflected for a corner

Brazil - Jesus on and Firmino off

Bolivia change: Vaca on-Saavedra off 

Bolivia really struggling here tonight. An hour gone and "La Verde" have failed to get any rhythm together with Brazil very, very comfortavvble

A reminder of the composition of the Copa America groups

Change for Bolivia. Saucedo off-Wayar on

Neres looks good every time he gets space on the left flank !

Ney tuning in to the action !

The name of the night so far here in Sao Paolo.... struggling at Barça but on fire for Brazil.

Great assist from Firmino but where was the Bolivia defence ? Absolutely shocking from the men in green. 

Brazil buoyed by the goal now as they strike the ball around and the home fans find their voice and rally behind the home side

Coutinho to take ....and scores

The old "was the arm in a natural position" as the ball does hit Justiniano on the arm.

Penalty for Brazil

Off he goes to have a look at the screen

Possible penalty shout for Brazil. Mr. Pitana talking to the VAR booth ....

Off we go ... Bolivia get things going in the second half

Not too much to get excited about at the Morumbi Stadium to be frank with Brazil dominating but yet to really trouble Lampe in the Bolivia goal, 77-23% possession tells you pretty much about the  pattern of the game with Coutinho and Firmino discreet for the home side.   

A few timid whistles from the home fans as Pitana calls time on the first half.

Cheeky from Cameron !

Little sense of frustration from the home fans despite no goals or close shaves for Brazil despite total domination of the half. We'll have 2 minutes of time added on. 

The Shijiazhuang Ever Bright striker seems ok to carry on as we lurk towards the half time whistle

Martins needs attention after colliding with Marquinhos

Bolivia strike on the counter and the effort on the target fails to trouble Becker in the Brazil goal.

Into the final 5' we go. 

Coutinho latches on to a Neres delivery but fails to secure direction on the header. 

Still no way through for the home side as Brazil try and break through in the centre of the park with the Bolivian side cabable of dealing with this predictable build-up.

Bolivia, whilst not playing with verve or flair, have found their way into the game and seem less overawed by the occasion as the game moves on. Still being outplayed with just 20% possession so far.

Brazil try a corner straight from the training ground as the corner finds Alves stealing in from the back but his drive is deflected wide

History in the making with the first ever VAR review at a Copa America

Bejarano clears as Richarlison almost puts the men in white ahead, with once again, a mistake from the Bolivian rear-guard almost gifted the Everton striker.

Bolivia manage to get a shot off as Martins fires a long range effort which fails to trouble the Brazilian stopper. 

The game now suffering with interruptions and that early Brazil impetus now gone as Bolivia manage to claw their way back into the contest.  

The Brazil XI pre game

Fernando Saucedo (Bolivia) for a stamp on Casemiro

First VAR review ever at a Copa America !

Hold up in the play as Casemiro takes a knock but seems ok to carry on. Pitana is actually talking to VAR and is heading to the screen !

Brazilian president Bolsonaro at the game tonight 

Brazil win yet another corner as they pile on the pressure looking for the opener. Bolivia really look like a very, very average side and seem a little overawed by the opposition and even occasion.

Bolivia looking somewhat chaotic at the back and have struggled to get the ball into the Brazilian half.

Poor play from Bejarano who heads out for a corner which Thiago Silva almost converts for the home side. 

Brazil in total control here at the Morumbi Stadium but Lampe yet to be called into action in the Bolivian goal. 

Brazil and Bolivia are in Group A. Other sides in the group are Venezuela and Peru. Venezuela certainly one of the dark hiorses of this tournament,  

Brazil looking very comfortobale in the opening stage of the action

5.2 goals is the average in BRA-BOL duels in the past so expect some net bulging action this evebing !

Coutinho to strike.... the Barcelona player drives the ball straight at the wall and eventually secures the first corner of the night for the home side. 

Brazil moving the ball around sweetly and win a dangerous free on the edge of the Bolivia box, Richarlison the player fouled 

Bolivia in green shorts and shorts with red socks.

All set in Sao Paolo, Brazil looking somewhat odd in white shirts, blue shorts and off we go !

Don't forget, Brazil have never lost on home soil against Bolivia in all competitions, scoring 46 goals and conceding just four times across 11 fixtures.

Ajax's David Neres is the player brought in by Tite to replace the injured Neymar.

Whilst the Morumbi Stadium looks reasonably full dotted with the yellow shirts of the home side, there do seem to be swathes of empty seats in the upper tiers. We'll keep an eye on that situation.

National anthem time...first up Bolivia and now the host nation. 

The 46th Copa America is just minutes away.... Brazil start as firm favourites with Argentina and Uruguay also figuring on the podium of sides most likely to lift the trophy on July 7th

The teams take to the pitch with kick-off just 5' away 

Bolivia will play in their classic green shirt tonight and along with Peru away, certainly one of the finest shirts at the tournament.  

Plenty of activity on the Morumbi pitch at present as the opening ceremony is taking place .... a riot of colour, music and dance.

Ideal conditions for players and fans alike at the Morumbi tonight with a temp. of 22C and 0% chance of rain!   

VAR will make it's Copa America debut tonight in Sao Paolo.

- Bolivia have managed just one win in their last seven Copa America tournaments combined, beating Ecuador 3-2 in 2015.

Stat attack: - Brazil are unbeaten on home soil against Bolivia in all competitions, scoring 46 goals and conceding just four times across 11 fixtures.

Tonight's match official is Mr. Nestor Pitana from Argentina.

Brazil are set to wear their white shirts this evening in the Copa opener, The Brazilian Football Confederation said they were choosing to wear white again in tribute to the 1919 Brazil side that won their first South American Championship.

The Morumbi stadium gradually starting to fill up with less than 30' ahead of kick-off. 

Bolivia XI now confirmed with Martins the danger man for the Bolivians  

Brazil XI

Brazil are unbeaten on home soil against Bolivia in all competitions, scoring 46 goals and conceding just four times across 11 fixtures.

Bolivia are not blessed with much in the way of attacking talent, and, although they will no doubt put in a combative display, goalkeeper Lampe is likely to be the busiest player on the pitch. He was in good form to keep the score down in a 2-0 friendly defeat to France on June 2.

Brazil won the last of their Copa America titles in 2007 and, following an infamously crushing semi-final loss when hosting the 2014 World Cup, the pressure is on the Selecao to deliver silverware again.

Captain Thiago Silva has no doubt that even without Neymar - who has been replaced by Willian, with Ajax forward David Neres expected to start on the left wing - Brazil's squad has the capability to put previous disappointments behind them.

Brazil - eight-time Copa America champions - host this year's tournament and take on Bolivia in the opening match at Sao Paulo's Morumbi on Friday.

Tite's side will be without key man Neymar, who will miss the competition due to an ankle injury sustained in a 2-0 friendly win over Qatar on June 6.