Brazil, five-time world champions showed no signs of slowing down with a confident 3-0 victory over tournament hosts Russia on Friday despite missing Neymar on the squad
Miranda the Inter Milan full-back scored the opening goal while Barcelona midfielder pair Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho scored one apiece at Moscow’s renovated Luzhniki stadium where the World Cup final will be played.
Brazil, started the match positively, in the fifth minute Dani Alves lobbed the ball into the area to Gabriel Jesus but the Manchester City striker shot straight at Russia’s goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.
Brazil dominated both play and possession but failed to create more chances before the break as Russia defended valiantly and in numbers.
Alexander Samedov Russian winger tested Brazilian keeper Alisson with a shot from 20 yards out just after the half-hour mark, but Brazil’s Roma ‘keeper palmed the ball away for a corner.
Alexei Miranchuk also had a chance for an opener five minutes later, but his powerful close-range angled shot rifled over the crossbar.
Two minutes after the interval Willian found the unmarked Paulinho in the area, but Akinfeev parried his low close-range shot.
Miranda finally put Brazil team into the lead when he fired home a 53rd-minute goal, knocking in a rebound from Akinfeev off a Thiago Silva header.
Brazil continued probing the home team’s defence and nine minutes later Coutinho made it 2-0 for the visitors with a penalty after Alexander Golovin fouled Paulinho in the area.
Paulinho rounded off the scoring in the 67th minute with a five-yard header off a pinpoint cross by Willian from the right.
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