The Brazilian team thrashed Guinea this Saturday (4-1) and danced as they wanted at a party against racism in Cornellà that featured Vinicius Jr, who left the ‘perico’ stadium to an ovation after scoring a penalty goal in the final stretch that was added to the goals from Joelinton, Rodrygo and Militao to close the summer concentration in Barcelona with a Madrid flavor. Now the cariocas will go to Lisbon to play against Senegal.
“With Racism I Don’t Have a Game”. You don’t play with racism. This was the message that could be read on the majority of the banners that filled an RCDE Stadium (from this week on Stage Front) that had recently become a stage for protests. If a few days ago it was the blue and white fans who protested the arbitration proceedings last year, this Saturday it was the turn of the Brazilian team to say ‘enough’ to racism in our football, opting for mourning in a friendly against Guinea that the CBF organized within of his campaign.
With Vinicius at the helm, acclaimed by most of the fans who came to Cornellà, the ‘canarinha’ wore black during the first half for the first time in its history. Something unprecedented but mandatory in the face of the numerous xenophobic attacks that continue to dominate sports news. The players knelt on the pitch after the initial whistle, and a minute of anti-racist silence was requested over the public address system. Before, some images had passed through the video scoreboards that recalled comments that world-class players like Pogba or Roberto Carlos had to suffer. The scourge of our society.
Vinícius Júnior during the minute of silence with the black shirt and pants within the awareness campaign against racism
After the big demonstration there was time for joy and goals. And although it was not a very attractive match, the two teams were incisive in both areas. The Guineans, with Ilaix Moriba commanding the engine room and Guirassy as the offensive reference, were more cautious and waited for Brazil in their own half. The ‘canarinha’ presented his most recognizable eleven with Vinícius and Rodrygo at the ends and wanted to take the reins of the match and take control of possession at the first change.
Brazil advanced before half an hour through Joelinton. Rodrygo kicked a free kick from the side and Militao had entered to finish off but ran into Koné, who left the rebound for the Newcastle midfielder to open the can. A few minutes later, at 30 ‘he touched Rodrygo, who had been dancing several attacks on Sylla on the right side. After anticipating with great power, the Real Madrid striker easily got away from the Guinean winger and scored the second after a strong shot that the African goalkeeper could not stop in any way.
Guinea did not shrink and wanted to respond quickly to the Brazilian attacks. He did it at 36′ when the prodigious Serhou Guirassy rose to perfection against Ederson to finish off a cross that cut the gap on the scoreboard. During the first minutes, the Africans had suffered from the fatigue of the week-long game against Egypt, but little by little they acclimatized to a meeting with a lot of rhythm on both sides.
The second half did not lose color, with Brazil already wearing the ‘canarinha’ as clothing. The new kit suited Ramon Menezes’ men well, who quickly advanced after the restart. Lucas Paquetá put a tense ball to the penalty spot where Militao was located to score the 3-1 at ease in minute 47′ with a great header that entered Koné’s goal with power.
From there, the changes followed one another and Ederson emerged as the protagonist after two great saves from point blank range to Yadaly Diaby and Jose Kante, the latter born in Catalonia. Brazil were able to extend the gap, but Richarlison rested on his laurels in a counterattack in which he went solo against the goalkeeper. The Tottenham player wanted to give the goal to Bruno Guimaraes, but in the end neither one nor the other got away with it for the benefit of goalkeeper Koné.
And with everything sold, the final minutes went to Vinícius. With Guinea focused on attack, the ‘canarinha’ took advantage of the open field to run and it was Malcom who caused a penalty in his debut with the ‘canarinha’. The Zenit winger was brought down by Sylla and the referee was clear about it. Penalty for Brazil. The ball was picked up by Vinícius, who heard how the fans cheered his name before defining with elegance and scoring the 4-1 in the 87th minute. After vindicating himself with his goal, Ramon Menezes replaced the Real Madrid star so that he received the last ovation of the night on the day that he returned to a stadium as a visitor, even though Brazil was playing at home.
DATA SHEET
1 – Guinea: Ibrahim Kone; Antoine Conte (m.65 Dembo Sylla), Saidou Sow, Mouctar Diakhaby, Issiaga Sylla; Amadou Diawara, Ilaix Moriba (m.82 Aguibou Camara); Morgan Guilavogui (m.72 Morlaye Sylla), Naby Keïta (m.72 Cissé), Francois Kamano (m.72 Diaby); and Serhou Guirassy (m.64 Kanté).
Coach: Kaba Diawara.
Goals: 1-0, m.27: Joelinton; 2-0, m.30: Rodrygo; 2-1, m.36: Guirassy; 3-1, m.47: Militao; 4-1, m.88 Vinicius.
Referee: Andris Treimanis admonished Paquetá, Casemiro and Issiaga Sylla.
Incidents: friendly match between the senior teams Brazil and Guinea, played at the Stage Front Stadium
