Philippe Coutinho and Brazil finally turned on the style, firing seven goals past Haiti in a Group B match of the Copa America Centenario on Wednesday. The crowd in Orlando were treated to some Brazilian magic, which was previously thought to be missing for the foreseeable future, as Coutinho struck a hat-trick to help the Selecao get right back in the Group B picture.
Needing a win after a sorry 0-0 draw against Ecuador in their opening match, there was a lot of pressure on Brazil to deliver, but the players transformed that pressure into goals, with Coutinho joined by Renato Augusto, who scored a brace, Gabriel and Lucas Lima in the golascoring stakes. Haiti got one small consolation in the 7-1 rout, courtesy a strike from James Marcelin.
Coutinho started the goalscoring spree with a nice cut-in from the left and low drive to the near post, which beat the Haiti goalkeeper. Then just before the half hour, the Liverpool playmaker had his brace courtesy a tap-in, after some good work down the Brazil right.
It was then Renato Augusto's turn to get on the scoresheet via a thumping header, as Brazil went into halftime with the match as good as done.
On 59 minutes, Gabriel would make it four for his country with a nice left-footed finish, before another substitute, Lima, headed home for a 5-0 scoreline.
The consolation would come for Haiti as a powerful run down the right would eventually see the ball fall to Marcelin, who made no mistake with his finish.
Augusto, however, bulged the lead again with his second just before the end of the match, before Coutinho would make it a match to remember by completing his hat-trick in stoppage time.
Brazil now have four points from two matches, with their final group game coming against Peru, who drew 2-2 with Ecuador in a brilliant match. Peru also have four points, while Ecuador, who play Haiti in their final group game, have two. Ecuador will hope Brazil hold or beat Peru in their final match with Group B set to go down right to the final match.
