Brazil rolled past Panama 6‑2 in a pre‑World Cup friendly in Rio, opening the match with a quick corner‑shot from Vinícius Júnior that found the top corner in the first two minutes. The hosts’ rhythm built early, but Panama rallied to cut the lead to 2‑2 before the break at half‑time, score level for teams today.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti swapped ten starters at halftime, leaving Neymar out as he recovers from a calf injury. The Brazilian midfield, led by Casemiro and Lucas Paquetá, pressed hard after the break, with Paquetá adding a fourth goal and a fifth from a penalty by Igor Thiago after a foul on Orlando Mosquera in match.

Panama’s Carlos Harvey cut the margin late, slotting a goal from the edge of the box. Despite the loss, Panama gained valuable experience against a top‑tier side, while Brazil’s 6‑2 win confirms their offensive potency as they head into the World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13 in the season for the team to refine.

The match also highlighted Brazil’s depth, with four scorers in the second half and a clean sheet against a resilient Panama side. The victory boosts confidence ahead of the World Cup, while Neymar’s injury status remains uncertain, leaving fans to hope he recovers in time for the tournament’s opening fixtures to face the competition soon.