By OkayGoal
Brazil eventually made their quality count as Samuel Lino scored twice in a comfortable 4-0 win over India in Kolkata.
Estevao and Pedro put Brazil in control before half-time, with Lino then coming off the bench to add two more after the break.
India made an encouraging start and caused a few early problems, with Apuia sending an effort narrowly wide after a corner before Vinicius Junior tested Gurpreet Singh Sandhu at the other end.
Brazil initially struggled to find a way through India’s defensive shape, with several promising attacks also halted by the offside flag.
However, the breakthrough arrived after 28 minutes. Matheuzinho found Estevao on the right and the winger cut inside before firing a powerful effort towards the near post. Sandhu got a hand to the shot but could not keep it out.
Estevao continued to cause problems and almost created a second eight minutes later, delivering a clipped cross for Pedro, whose header struck the post.
The same combination did produce Brazil’s second in the 42nd minute. Estevao played Pedro into the right channel and the striker timed his run well before driving a low finish beyond Sandhu.
Vinicius almost added another before the interval when his shot was saved, but Apuia reacted quickly to clear the loose ball before Danilo could convert.
Ancelotti makes changes at half-time
Carlo Ancelotti made five changes at the interval, with Lino, Vanderson, Bruno Guimaraes, Gabriel Magalhaes and Douglas Luiz all introduced.
Lino needed only 12 minutes to make his mark. India surrendered possession in their own third and Pedro flicked the ball into the winger’s path. Lino drove inside before bending a right-footed finish into the bottom-right corner to make it 3-0.
India continued to look for a goal of their own and came close after 64 minutes when Williams saw a shot cleared off the line by Mauro Junior. Williams then fired narrowly wide three minutes later.
Brazil continued to create opportunities at the other end, with Endrick among those threatening after replacing Pedro.
The fourth eventually arrived in stoppage time and Lino produced the standout finish of the night to complete his brace.
Mauro Junior found him on the left before Lino cut inside, created space in the penalty area and powered his shot beyond Prabhsukhan Singh Gill.