Brazil turned on the style on Sunday with a 6-2 thrashing of Panama in a lopsided World Cup send-off at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium.
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. gave the Brazilians the lead in the first minute. He received a pass from veteran midfielder Casemiro before firing in a thunderous strike from 25 yards.
However, the five-time World Cup winner suffered a shock in the fourteenth minute when Panama grabbed an odd equalizer, Michael Murillo’s free-kick taking a poor deflection off Matheus Cunha and sailing past Brazilian keeper Alisson.
The combination of Vinicius and Casemiro restored Brazil’s lead six minutes before half-time.
Vinicius shot into space on the left side of the penalty area and what looked like a curling shot destined for the far corner was helped into the net by a glancing header from Casemiro.
Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti announced the substitutions at half-time, replacing his entire starting line-up with the exception of Leo Pereira as the second half started.
The new-look Selecao wasted no time in asserting their superiority, scoring three quick goals to give Brazil a 5-1 lead.
Teenager Rayan made it 3-1 in the 53rd minute, with the 19-year-old Bournemouth talent collecting a misplaced pass from Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera on the right flank and calmly curling in his shot to the delight of the Maracana crowd.
Lucas Paqueta scored Brazil’s fourth in the 60th minute from the edge of the penalty area, and Igor Thiago made it 5-1 from the penalty spot three minutes later after being brought down by Mosquera.
Botafogo’s Danilo completed Brazil’s scoring in the 81st minute, controlling Paqueta’s floating pass into the penalty area before wrong-footing the Panama defense’s coverage and burying the finish.
Panama grabbed a late consolation when Carlos Harvey crashed into a 30-yard screamer.
Brazil will play a friendly final against Egypt in Cleveland, Ohio, next Saturday before opening their World Cup campaign in Group C against Morocco on June 13.
The Brazilians will also face Haiti and Scotland in the first round of the tournament.
Published on June 1, 2026
