Defending champions Brazil seemed to be in the groove as they kick-started their Copa America 2021 campaign with a thumping 3-0 win against Venezuela side plagued by COVID-19 in Round 1 of the Group Stage matches on Sunday.

While centre-back Marquinhos opened the scoring for Selecao in the first half, Neymar tucked home a second-half penalty and Gabriel Barbosa, coming off the bench, put the final nail in the coffin.    

In a tournament already delayed a year and moved from its original hosts Argentina and Colombia due to the pandemic, it was fitting that the coronavirus should take centre-stage right up to the tournament kick-off.

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Played in front of an empty Mane Garrincha stadium in Brasilia due to COVID-19 restrictions, Brazil made light of the continent’s minnows, who arrived with a makeshift side missing at least eight players who were ruled out after testing positive for coronavirus the day before.

Venezuela called up 15 emergency replacements but could still only name seven out of a possible 12 substitutes due to a lack of available players.

The game went ahead and, predictably, reigning champions Brazil were well on top.

Brazil centre-back Eder Militao missed a gaping chance early on, while Graterol did well to hold a Danilo volley from distance.

Brazil took the lead on 23 minutes when Richarlison flicked on a Neymar corner that deflected into Marquinhos’s path inside the six-yard box, allowing the centre-back to bundle home.

Richarlison had a goal ruled out for offside while Neymar incredibly fired wide from 12 yards out as Brazil threatened to put the game to bed before half-time.

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After the break, Neymar somehow failed to turn home a cross-cum-shot from Gabriel Jesus from three yards out but on 64 minutes he doubled the lead from the penalty spot.

Yohan Cumana clumsily brought down Danilo in the box and Neymar sent Graterol the wrong way from 12 yards.

The hosts took their foot off the gas but Neymar kept probing and was denied a second by Graterol following a mazy run and shot from inside the box.

Neymar then created the third, rounding Graterol before crossing for Gabriel to chest home from barely a yard out.