A brace each from Alexandre Pato and Neymar helped defending champions Brazil thrash Ecuador 4-2 to reach the Copa America quarter-finals on Wednesday. Defeat for Mano Menezes' side at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes would have sent them rolling out of the contest, but they produced a battling display to win Group B and earn a last-eight date with pool rivals Paraguay.
Felipe Caicedo twice got Ecuador back on level terms, cancelling out Pato's opener and then Neymar's second goal for Brazil, but the Selecao moved up a gear when necessary to do so to make sure their progress and Ecuador's exit. Menezes handed Maicon a initial berth at the cost of Barcelona's Dani Alves, the Inter Milan man turning in a star performance for Brazil, while Robinho also returned to the starting XI.
The Brazilians deadlock was broken down in the 27th minute when Andre Santos crossed from the left and Pato headed home. Robinho struck the bar as Brazil searched for a second goal, with Maicon’s raiding runs down the right causing all sorts of problems for Ecuador. Brazil restored their advantage within four minutes of the restart, Pato setting up Santos star Neymar to make it 2-1, but once again the lead its way past Julio Cesar in the 58th minute.
Felipe Caicedo twice got Ecuador back on level terms, cancelling out Pato's opener and then Neymar's second goal for Brazil, but the Selecao moved up a gear when necessary to do so to make sure their progress and Ecuador's exit. Menezes handed Maicon a initial berth at the cost of Barcelona's Dani Alves, the Inter Milan man turning in a star performance for Brazil, while Robinho also returned to the starting XI.
The Brazilians deadlock was broken down in the 27th minute when Andre Santos crossed from the left and Pato headed home. Robinho struck the bar as Brazil searched for a second goal, with Maicon’s raiding runs down the right causing all sorts of problems for Ecuador. Brazil restored their advantage within four minutes of the restart, Pato setting up Santos star Neymar to make it 2-1, but once again the lead its way past Julio Cesar in the 58th minute.
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