brazil Finally, their quality counted with Samuel Lino scoring twice in a comfortable 4-0 win India in Calcutta.
Estevao and Pedro dominated Brazil before the break, and Lino came off the bench to add two more after the break.
India got off to an encouraging start and caused some early problems, with Apuia sending an effort wide following a corner before Vinicius Junior tested Gurpreet Singh Sandhu at the other end.
Brazil initially struggled to find a way past India’s defensive shape, with several promising attacks also halted by the offside flag.
However, the breakthrough came after 28 minutes. Matheuzinho finds Estevao on the right and the winger cuts inside before unleashing a powerful effort at the near post. Sandhu got a hand to the shot but couldn’t keep it away.
Estevao continued to cause problems and almost had a second eight minutes later, curling in a cross for Pedro, whose header hit the post.
The same combination produced Brazil’s second in the 42nd minute. Estevao played Pedro into the right channel and the striker timed his run well before driving a low finish past Sandhu.
Vinicius almost added another before the break when his shot was blocked, but Apuia reacted quickly to clear the loose ball before Danilo could convert.
Ancelotti makes changes at half-time
Carlo Ancelotti made five changes at half-time, with Lino, Vanderson, Bruno Guimaraes, Gabriel Magalhaes and Douglas Luiz all introduced.
Lino needed only 12 minutes to set his mark. India conceded possession in their own third and Pedro flicked the ball towards the wing. Lino came in before curling a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner to make it 3-0.
India continued to look for a goal of their own and went close in the 64th minute when Williams saw Mauro Junior’s shot off the line. Williams then shot just wide three minutes later.
Brazil continued to create chances at the other end, with Endrick among those threatening after replacing Pedro.
The fourth finally arrived in stoppage time and Lino produced the highlight of the night to complete his brace.
Mauro Junior found him on the left before Lino cut inside, created space in the penalty area and powered his shot past Prabhsukhan Singh Gill.
