Brazil 1-0 Honduras: Roberto Firmino ensures winning warm-up for Copa America 2015

Barcelona superstar was named among the substitutes but played in the second-half
Hoffenheim striker Firmino struck the winner on 33 minutes in Porto Alegre
Chelsea defender Felipe Luis supplied Firmino with a brilliant assist
Liverpool midfielder and Chelsea attacker Willian were also in action, with David Luiz captain
Former Manchester City striker Robinho featured too and was booked for Brazil
Brazil open their Copa America campaign against Peru on June 14

Published:
02:54 GMT, 11 June 2015

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Updated:
03:11 GMT, 11 June 2015

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Twelve months ago, the pressure on Brazil to perform at a major tournament had reached an unprecedented crescendo.

Their World Cup campaign, however, ended in humiliation on home soil as eventual winners Germany ran riot in the semi-finals.

One year on and expectations are significantly lower as the returning Dunga takes his side to Chile for the Copa America.

Roberto Firmino celebrates with a Gareth Bale-esque heart gesture after scoring the winner for Brazil against Honduras

Firmino, showing off his impressive tattoos, punches the air in delight after scoring what proved to be the winning goal in Porto Alegre

Brazil’s strong team spirit was evident as Firmino was warmly embraced by his team-mates after scoring on 33 minutes

MATCH FACTS

Brazil:Jefferson, Fabinho (marquinhos, 75), Miranda, Luiz (Silva, 45), Luis, Casemiro, Fernandinho, Willian (Costa, 45), Coutinho (Neymar, 45), Fred (Elias, 80), Firmino (Robinho, 71).

Subs not used: Anderson, Tardelli, Neto, Teles, Ribeiro, Grohe.

Goal: Firmino (33)

Yellow cards: Fabinho, Luis, Robinho.

Honduras: Verkhovtsov, Figueroa, Palacios, Leveron, Beckeles, Garrido (Meija, 45), Acosta (Discua, 84), Izaguirre (Garcia, 86), Garcia (Martinez, 38), Najar (Mejia, 75), Lozano (Andino, 74).

Subs not used: Hernandez, Castillo, Valladares, Crisanto, Escober.

Yellow card: Palacios, Mejia.

Nine consecutive victories since the former captain took charge for a second spell have restored confidence, even if the swashbuckling style of old remains a distant memory.

And following their win over Mexico last weekend, Brazil edged out a limited Honduras side in their final friendly before they travel to Temuco for their opening game against Peru on Sunday.

Victory in the final in Santiago on July 4 will be their third in the last four years.

But having opted to leave Neymar on the bench following his Champions League exploits for Barcelona in Berlin, Dunga watched as his side toiled for large periods in the first half.

The one bright spark was Philippe Coutinho as the Liverpool midfielder followed up his goalscoring performance against Mexico with an influential first period, twice the architect in the final third only to see both moves break down.

But predictably, the 22-year-old played a part in the opener as Brazil finally broke down a resolute Honduras defence 10 minutes before the break.

Coutinho exchanged passes with Felipe Luis, allowing the Chelsea full back to race beyond the defence and slide the ball into Roberto Firmino who left Noel Valladares with no chance.

And while Luis’s fine form poses a selection dilemma for Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, Firmino’s form can only raise a smile from Dunga.

Brazil have struggled to fill the central striking role since Ronaldo retired and although Firmino is more at home in the No 10 role, his three goals in six games for his country suggest he could help lift the burden from Neymar’s shoulders.

Barcelona superstar Neymar was named among the substitutes but did make a second-half appearance for Brazil

Champions League winner did play 45 minutes as he showed his skill to beat an advancing Henry Figueroa

Fred started in attack and had to fend off Honduras defender Johnny Palacios during the match in Porto Alegre

Honduras’ Luis Garrido does his best to keep Liverpool midfielder Coutinho at bay during the Copa America warm-up

But the Anfield star showed his class as his skipped through a challenge by Bryan Acosta

Coutinho’s Brazil team-mate Casemiro wasn’t so lucky, however, as he was brought down by a tackle from Brayan Beckeles

The 23-year-old plies his club trade for Hoffenheim in Germany and will hope to use the Copa America as a springboard to a regular role in Dunga’s starting XI.

Having been drawn in a group with Colombia and Venezuela, as well as Peru, Brazil should make comfortable progress into the second round.

And they were visibly lifted by Neymar’s introduction for the second half in Porto Alegre Having replaced Willian, the Barcelona forward poked home within seconds of the restart but Firmino was correctly adjudged to have been offside in the build up.

Chelsea’s Felipe Luis, who provided the assist for matchwinner Firmino, attempts to tackle Oscar Garcia

Luis’ Chelsea club-mate was also in action, pictured here coming up against Johnny Palacios, before he was replaced at the interval

Former Manchester City striker Robinho, pictured getting past Jonathan Mejia, made a cameo from the bench and was cautioned

Firmino was jumping for joy as his strike made the winning difference between the sides

Firmino, congratulated by PSG star David Luiz, will hope to take his form into Sunday’s opening Copa America game for Brazil against Peru

Brazil were then forced back as Honduras sought an unlikely equaliser before Fred and then Neymar reminded Valladares of their potency with efforts that kept the visiting keeper honest.

Firmino had by now made way for Robinho with the young forward hoping he had done enough to be given the nod on Sunday.

For Brazil, however, the next four weeks may not be long enough to provide the necessary response to their year-long search for answers.