Vinicius Jr Shines as Brazil Crushes Panama 6-2; USA Tops Senegal 3-2
Theo Al Jazeera English
Vinicius Jr scored one goal and set up another as Brazil defeated Panama 6-2 in a friendly at the Maracana, while Christian Pulisic ended his goal drought to help the USA edge Senegal 3-2.
Vinicius Jr turned the Maracana into his own welcome party, scoring an early goal and providing an assist as Brazil cruised to a 6-2 friendly victory over Panama less than two weeks before the 2026 World Cup kicks off.
Brazil were without Neymar due to a calf injury, expected to miss their opening match against Morocco on June 13. Additionally, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos, and Gabriel Martinelli were absent because they were playing in the Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG.
Vinicius Jr, a former Flamengo player, needed less than two minutes to make his mark at the stadium where he played as a youth. After Casemiro intercepted a Panama attack, Vinicius surged forward and fired a fierce shot from the edge of the box into the top-left corner.
Panama equalized in the 14th minute when Michael Murillo’s free kick deflected off Matheus Cunha, leaving goalkeeper Alisson with no chance. However, Vinicius restored order in the 39th minute with a solo run from the left flank, beating two defenders before crossing for Casemiro to head home.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti made nearly wholesale changes in the second half, keeping only center-back Leo Pereira. The substitutes quickly made an impact: in the 52nd minute, Panama’s goalkeeper passed the ball straight to Rayan, who scored into an empty net; Lucas Paqueta made it 4-1 in the 60th minute; Igor Thiago converted a penalty in the 63rd minute; and Danilo sealed the 6-1 lead in the 81st minute. Carlos Harvey pulled one back for Panama in the 84th minute with a thunderous strike into the top corner.
Brazil will face Egypt next weekend before opening their Group C campaign against Morocco. Panama, in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Ghana, will play Dominican Republic and Bosnia before meeting Ghana in their World Cup debut.
In another friendly, the USA claimed a 3-2 win over Senegal. Sergino Dest opened the scoring in the 7th minute from a Christian Pulisic pass. Pulisic doubled the lead in the 20th minute with a delicate finish after rounding the goalkeeper. Sadio Mane pulled one back before halftime.
Mane equalized in the 52nd minute following a USA defensive error, but Folarin Balogun headed home from Tim Weah’s cross in the 62nd minute to secure the win for the hosts. The USA, co-hosts of the World Cup, will face Germany before taking on Paraguay in Group D on June 12. Senegal meets France in Group I on June 16.
