Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton scored 27 minutes into his Brazil debut and Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Jr converted a late penalty as the Selecao won for the first time since the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a 4-1 victory over spirited Guinea in Barcelona.
76 places below them in the FIFA rankings, third-placed Brazil scored twice in three first-half minutes at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium, Joelinton slotting home from close range before Madrid’s Rodrygo latched onto a pass from Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Richarlison to set up a composed finish.
Guinean manager Kaba Diawara, who played for clubs including Arsenal and Paris St-Germain as a player, spoke of his desire for his side to achieve a positive result and they struck as lone striker Serhou Guirassy – who joins Stuttgart from Rennes. in July – eluded Marquinhos to nod in a 36th-minute reply.
On a night when Brazil played the first half in black shirts as part of an anti-racism initiative, they restored their two-goal lead two minutes into the second half when Madrid defender Eder Militao glanced home a cross from West Ham United’s Lucas. Package.
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson denied Guinean substitute Jose Kante from close range as part of a clever double save before Vinicius Jr, who has been brutally racially abused over several games in his Spain career, converted a penalty three minutes from time to make it 4-1.