Brazil 3-0 Venezuela: result, goals, summary: Copa America 2021

Marquinhos, Neymar (p) and Gabigol on target for the reigning champions tonight in Brasilia against a dogged Venezuela side who had seen their plans sidetracked with a coronavirus outbreak that ruled out key players.

The whistle sounds and it's a comfortable win for Tite's men with a 3-0 win.

Three minutes of added time to be awarded.

Neymay skips past the keeper and feeds the Flamengo forward who chests into an empty net.

Four of the five teams in both groups will advance so all not over for Venezuela. Getting a full squad healthy and fit will be key for manager José Peseiro

Changes for Brazil: Vinicius and Fabinho set to come on....Gabriel Jesus and Fred the players who make way

Venezuela changes: Caceres off and Castillo his replacement

Peru, Ecuador and Colombia are the other sides in Group B as Neymar almost bags Brazil's third of the night.

Brazil free-kick, Neymar over the ball.... 25 yards or so from goal.....Casemiro with the final effort but the shot is easy for Graterol to gather.

Just over ten minutes remain and despite the result and three points rarely in doubt all evening, Venezuela have been very stubborn and solid defensively, an admirable feat given their covid crippled squad.

Changes for the visitors..... Cordova on for Fernando Aristeguieta and Celis on for Manzano

Neymar and Gabigol work well but their one-two breaks down after a lightning counter attack. Alisson still a virtual spectator with the Vinotinto yet to really test the Liverpool stopper.

Wonderful one touch passing from Brazil as the Selecao move the ball around wonderfully. The final ball is wayward but what a goal that would have been. Delightful stuff from Tite's men. Flamengo duo Gabigol and Everton Ribeiro really have given Brazil a new sense of pace that was maybe lacking in the first 45'.

So...just over 20 minutes remain in Brasilia.... Manzano is carded for the Vinotinto as Brazil continue to dominate the game.

Only on the pitch for 30 seconds and Gabigol is awarded a yellow for a late challenge....

change for Brazil: Richarlison off-Gabigol his replacement

VAR is double checking ....

Damilo is upended in the box and the Juve man wins a penalty. Cumana seemed to clip the player ....

Great run from Richarlison as he skips wide and fires on target ... once again the match official is in contact with VAR...

The earlier and indeed only goal of the night.... Not a vintage effort from the PSG star.

Brazil defend resolutely and any danger is averted.

Venezuelan substitutes warm-up on the bench as the men in burgundy press and win a corner.

Richarlison almost links up with Neymar but the pass is far too close to the Vinotinto keeper who intercepts. Almost an hour gone in Brasilia and the host nation lead by just one goal.

One can't help but feel that a second Brazilian goal will really break any Venezuelan resolve and could even lead to a more convincing scoreline as Neymar almost slides in to make it number 2 for the Selecao.

Venezuela with no changes at the break...

Everton comes on along with Alex Sandro (Lucas and Lodi making way)

Both sides now back on the pitch with the second 45' looming.

Brazil set poised to make a change with Everton Ribiero ready to make an entrance.

The match officials return to the pitch as we await both teams to emerge from the tunnel.

The whistle sounds for the break and the host side take a 1-0 lead at the interval through a scrappy Marquinhos effort. Considering Venezuela's selection woes, it's been an admirable performance from the men in burgundy despite the visitors not really carving out anything resembling a clear-cut chance.

Late Vino Tinto corner just before the interval. Taken shortly and the ball is driven straight at Alisson who has had a quiet first 45'.

We'll have 2 minutes of time added on

The game set to end with the same patters on play as we've seen for the bulk of this half... the men in yellow on the ball but lacking the final craft to break down the Venezuela rear-guard.

Final five minutes of the half remain and it has been one way traffic but despite all their domination it's just one goal that divide the sides here in Brasilia.

Lodi carded for a foul on Fernando Aristeguieta

Despite playing with a depleted side, Venezuela have acquitted themselves admirably tonight and only trail by the single goal.

We now have a VAR review for a possible handball..... Check over, nothing given and we resume!

Adrian Martinez for Venezuela has been monumental this evening for the Vino Tinto... Plays his football domestically for Deportivo la Guaira.

Play held up as Venezuela have a man down injured... Martinez colliding and seems to be in some pain.... Play resumes and the visitors pick up the rhythm of the game again.

Brazil press again and desperate defending from the men in burgundy as they manage to avert the danger.

Neymar....inches wide. Great ball from Militao and the PSG forward skips by his man and fires low and wide. A let off for the visitors.

Rain falling now in Brasilia and once again the shouts from the players and both benches are audible to hear.

A lull in the game after the Brazil goal as both teams compose themselves.

Brazil have the ball in the Venezuela net again but the flag is up against Richarlison

A messy goal to concede but it was on the cards as Brazil break the deadlock.

24-year-old Graterol earning just his third cap for Venezuela tonight.

Neymar tries his luck from long range and appeals for a corner and the referee eventually concedes. Brazil still really haven't tested Graterol in the Venezuela goal despite their domination.

Corner for Venezuela, first one of the night for VinoTinto.

Venezuela keeper Graterol being warned by the match official for time wasting after just 15 minutes of action !

Interesting to see Chinese covid vaccine Sinovac as one of the Copa America perimeter advertising sponsors!

Fernando Aristeguieta is fouled by Militao and a drop ball is the verdict. Brazil clearly the better side but Venezuela will be encouraged by some bright spells of play.

Brazil go close once again as Militao just nods past the post from a sublime Lodi assist.

Better now from the visitors as they enjoy a solid spell of possession and have Brazil (briefly) on the back foot.

Brazil almost take the lead as a corner is flicked on but Gabriel Jesus is inches away from tapping the ball home.

Fernando Aristeguieta does well for VinoTinto but is alone of the left side and is muscled off the ball. Brazil enjoying all the early possession now.

Gonzalez fouls the PSG striker and danger for the visitors. Neymar over the ball on the Brazil left hand side.

Neymar on the ball for the first time this evening but the PSG man is casual and gives the ball away....

Brazil applying early pressure with all men in burgundy deep inside their own half. Somewhat eerie not to have fans after three days of Euro 2020...how quickly we become conditioned !

Brazil in their classic yellow and blue, Venezuela in their iconic all burgundy....

Venezuela start the action....

All set in Brasilia. The 2021 Copa America is about to get underway as we hold a minutes silence to pay tribute to the victims of the pandemic in South America and around the world.

Match official tonight is Uruguay's Esteban Daniel Ostojich

So, can we see anything but a resounding win for Tite's men tonight? Everything is against Venezuela and it will be essential for Peseiro's men to ensure that the men in yellow are kept at bay for as long as possible.

...and now time for the Brazilian national anthem.

National anthem time ... first up VinoTinto.....

The stage is set in Brasilia as the Copa America trophy is brought onto the Garrincha pitch in Brasilia. Minutes away from the start and what a contrast to see a massive empty stadium again after being spoiled by recent Euro 2020 matches with some fans present.

Copa America stat attack

- Brazil have gone 20 Copa America’s games without losing when the tournament takes place on home soil (W12 D8). Their previous defeat was a 3-1 loss to Peru in 1975.
- Indeed the Selecao have lifted the title on the previous five occasions they have hosted, with an overall record of W26 D12 L2 – the other reverse coming versus Paraguay back in 1949.
- Venezuela's quarter-final exit against Argentina in the 2019 Copa America ended a three-match unbeaten run in the competition (W1 D2).
- This will be Venezuela's 20th Copa América appearance, the fewest of any CONMEBOL nation.

Confirmation via the Brazilian FA (CBF) of Tite's starting XI

Brazil meanwhile have enjoyed a perfect 100% win record in the six games played to date and have as good as sealed their ticket for the Qatar World Cup next year.

Venezuela come into tonight's game on the back of a 0-0 draw (vs Uruguay) preceded by a defeat to Bolivia and the 'VinoTinto' languish in second last in the 2022 World Cup qualifying group.

The Garrincha stadium looking in immaculate condition ahead of kick-off. Given the situation regarding the pandemic in Brazil, tonight's game and indeed the entire Copa America will be played behind closed doors.

Brazil XI confirmed: Alisson; Renan Lodi, Marquinhos, Éder Militão, Danilo; Casemiro, Fred, Lucas Paquetá; Neymar, Richarlison, Gabriel Jesus

Brazilians protest their country hosting soccer Copa America tournament amid the coronavirus disease and against Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, in Brasilia, Brazil, June 13, 2021. The banner reads 'We do not want the cup, we want vaccines'.

The move of the Copa at the 11th hour to Brazil has been badly received by many Brazilians with covid levels still extremely high in the South American nation. Brazil's president Bolsonaro has been criticized in many circles for his attitude towards the pandemic and the late decision to stage the Copa America has gained even more criticism.

Brazil name strong 24 man Copa America squad

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras).

Defenders: Emerson (Barcelona), Danilo, Alex Sandro (Juventus), Renan Lodi, Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Éder Militão (Real Madrid), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Thiago Silva (Chelsea).

Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Manchester United), Lucas Paquetã (Lyon).

Forwards: Everton (Benfica), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Gabriel Barbosa (Flamengo), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Richarlison (Everton), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).

Venezuela have only defeated the Seleção in one meeting of the 26 matches between both sides on Brazilian soil.

Aerial view of Mane Garrincha Stadium before the opening match of Copa America 2021 between Brazil and Venezuela on June 13, 2021 in Brasilia, Brazil.

12 Venezuela covid positives

"The health department was notified by CONMEBOL that 12 members of the Venezuelan national team’s delegation, including players and coaching staff, tested positive for covid-19," the secretary of state for Brasilia said in a statement, with the match set to take place at Estadio Nacional in the Brazilian capital.

 "They are all asymptomatic, isolated in single rooms and are being monitored.

The 'Vino Tinto' have failed to beat Brazil in their past eight Copa America encounters with the Selecao – who have won six in that streak, and their hopes took a further setback with the news that 12 of their traveling party have tested positive for coronavirus.

The Group B clash will kick off at the Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasilia, on Sunday 13 June 2021 at 6 pm local time/2300 CEST.

Hello and a warm welcome to our live coverage of the 2021 Copa America opener as host nation Brazil face Venezuela.