Brazil rounded off their international friendly programme with a convincing 4-0 victory over India on Saturday, with Samuel Lino scoring twice after Estêvão and Pedro had given the five-time world champions control of the historic encounter in Kolkata.
The meeting at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, also known as Salt Lake Stadium, was the first senior men’s international clash between Brazil and India. Around 51,000 spectators watched as Carlo Ancelotti’s side eventually found their rhythm and pulled away from a disciplined Indian team.
India started with plenty of energy and showed early signs that they were not prepared to simply sit back against their illustrious opponents.
In the sixth minute, Anirudh Thapa’s corner was cleared only as far as Apuia, who struck the loose ball first time from outside the area. His effort forced Brazil to remain alert as India briefly threatened the debutant goalkeeper Pedro Morisco.
Brazil gradually began to take control through their possession and individual quality. Vinicius Junior repeatedly attempted to exploit the space on India’s left, although India’s defensive line frequently used the offside trap to frustrate the Real Madrid forward.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 28th minute.
Matheuzinho supplied the ball to Estêvão on the right, and the Chelsea winger cut inside before unleashing a left-footed strike towards the top-right corner. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu got a hand to the effort but could not keep it out as Brazil moved 1-0 ahead.
India continued to compete, but Brazil began finding increasingly dangerous spaces between the defensive and midfield lines.
Pedro came close to adding a second in the 35th minute when Gabriel Bontempo delivered a cross into the area. The striker’s header beat Sandhu but struck the post, leaving India with a huge escape.
The second goal arrived seven minutes later.
In the 42nd minute, Estêvão turned provider. The young attacker spotted Pedro’s movement behind the Indian defence and played a perfectly weighted through ball. Pedro raced onto it and attempted to take the ball around Sandhu, who got a touch to the finish, but could not prevent it from crossing the line.
Brazil therefore entered half-time with a 2-0 advantage.
India made a determined start to the second half and briefly looked capable of causing Brazil problems.
Manvir Singh forced Morisco into a save in the 55th minute after using his strength to hold off his marker before firing towards the near post. Moments later, Ryan Williams broke into the box and appeared to have beaten Morisco with his finish.
Brazil, however, produced a crucial defensive intervention.
Mauro Júnior recovered towards the goal line and threw himself in front of the effort, clearing the ball away and denying India a potential lifeline.
Brazil responded almost immediately.
The third goal arrived in the 58th minute after India lost possession while attempting to play out from the back. Pedro collected the ball and cleverly laid it into the path of Samuel Lino.
Lino, who had entered at half-time in place of Vinicius Junior, kept his composure and placed a right-footed finish into the bottom-right corner to make it 3-0.
The goal marked Lino’s first for the Brazilian national team.
India continued to search for a consolation goal, with Ryan Williams and Manvir Singh remaining the principal threats on the counter. But Brazil’s superior ball control and attacking quality prevented the hosts from turning those opportunities into goals.
The visitors continued creating chances late in the match, with Endrick and Vanderson both testing the Indian defence.
Then, deep into stoppage time, Lino put the finishing touch on the victory.
In the fifth minute of added time, the Flamengo winger received the ball on the left following a corner. He drove towards the box, moved past two defenders and created enough room for a powerful right-footed strike that flew into the net.
Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, who had replaced Sandhu in goal, could not react quickly enough.
Lino had his second of the night and Brazil had their fourth.
There was no late drama in terms of disciplinary action, with neither team receiving a yellow or red card. Instead, the final stages were dominated by Brazil’s attempts to extend their advantage and India’s efforts to avoid an even heavier defeat.
The 4-0 victory completed Brazil’s three-match international programme with two wins and a draw. For India, the result extended their winless run to six matches, although their energetic opening spell and several second-half chances provided some positives against one of international football’s most decorated teams.
Estêvão finished the night as one of Brazil’s most influential attackers, contributing a goal and an assist, while Lino’s brace ensured the spotlight ultimately belonged to the substitute who changed the game after coming on.
Final Score: India 0-4 Brazil
Goals: Estêvão 28′, Pedro 42′, Samuel Lino 58′, Samuel Lino 90+5′.
Key Assists: Matheuzinho for Estêvão; Estêvão for Pedro; Pedro for Lino; Mauro Júnior for Lino’s second.
