Brazil eased to a 5-0 win against the Central American opposition, with Arthur Melo making his first start for the Brazil national team.
This international break has been one to remember for Arthur Melo because he made his debut for Brazil in the victory over the USA, and he has now started his first game as well in the 5-0 win over El Salvador. It was a special moment for the Barcelona youngster as his career continues to progress at a rapid pace.
Brazil doesn’t have to qualify for their regional competition like the European teams do, so the period after the World Cup is reserved for friendlies. Tite has seen this as an opportunity to bring in some fresh faces who have impressed for their club sides in Europe and South America this calendar year; Arthur was one of those players called up.
A quick start from Brazil saw Richarlison earn a penalty on his first start for the team, which Neymar dispatched. Richarlison scored his first ever goal for the Selecao not long after that with a curling effort into the far corner. Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho nearly added to the lead with a well-struck shot that Henry Hernandez saved, and Neymar hit the crossbar a few minutes later. Coutinho wasn’t to be denied a second time, though, as he fired a rocket of a shot into the corner from the edge of the box.
The second half started in similar fashion as Richarlison swept home a rebound early on. Brazil continued to dominate, but they struggled to create as many clear-cut chances because the substitutions changed the flow of the game. However, they did score a fifth right at the end as Neymar found Marquinhos from a corner.
It was a comfortable win for Brazil, but they were playing against a poor team, so that has to be taken into account. Nonetheless, Tite will have impressed by the performances from some of the youngsters such as Richarlison, Everton, Lucas Paqueta and Arthur.
More from FC Barcelona News
- Barça boss Xavi to get contract extension
- FC Barcelona planning swoop for Arsenal midfielder
- FC Barcelona tracking 20-year-old goal machine
- Lamine Yamal’s involvement causing tension at FC Barcelona
- How can Xavi unlock Joao Felix for FC Barcelona?
The young Barcelona midfielder excelled in his role as the deep-lying playmaker because he ensured the forwards had service as well as keeping play moving with his composed passing and situational awareness. This international break will serve as a well-timed confidence boost as he aims to work his way into the first-team; it only seems a matter of time before he holds down a starting role.
Coutinho played alongside him in the midfield three and looked comfortable in this role, although that was to be expected against this quality of opposition. Regardless, any playing time in that position is useful in ensuring he is properly adjusted to that role for Barcelona.
The World Cup may not have gone as Brazil had planned, but they are blessed with plenty of talent coming through the ranks and can be reasonably confident of their chances in the 2019 Copa America on home soil as well as the 2022 World Cup.