Honduras 0
Brazil 3
Boschilia 14’, 45’, Caio 64’
Man of the match Nathan
RAS AL KHAIMAH // Brazil maintained their 100 per cent record after three games with a dominant defeat of Honduras on Wednesday night, but Alexandre Gallo, the winning coach, insisted his side must stay grounded.
Honduras had arrived knowing such was group rivals Slovakia’s negative goal difference, they could secure a place in the next round so long as they avoided heavy defeat. However, their lack of ambition saw them play with all 10 outfield players behind the ball for much of the first half and still find themselves unable to shut out a side overflowing with talent.
The attacking triumvirate of Boschilia, Mosquito and Nathan had already managed nine goals between them in two games, and it took just 14 minutes before Boschilia struck a lovely, left-footed free-kick that left goalkeeper Christian Hernandez with no chance.
Nathan, the Atletico Paranaese No 10, pulled the strings throughout and should have added a second, but having reacted quickest to pounce on a loose ball and skip past three defenders, his shot rolled wide of the post. Moments later he instead claimed an assist, bursting down the left and squaring to Boschilia, who made no mistake from five yards.
Midway through the second half, Nathan claimed a second assist, playing a perfectly floated 40-yard pass into the path of Caio, who slotted through Hernandez’s legs from a tight angle.
“We came here to play offensive and we did that,” Gallo said. “We were disappointed with Honduras because they just defended, but we can only be happy. We scored many goals, but now it is like a new competition because it is knock out. We must stay grounded and be respectful to the other teams, but of course we are confident.”
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
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