Brazil Under 23

3.38

• 
  13

  0

  3.00

  Gabriel

  Had a predictably quiet match but, when called upon, he reacted well from New Zealand’s occasional whipped crosses.

• 
  29

  1

  4.00

  Rafael

  The Manchester United right-back impressed for the entire 90 minutes. His Premier League employers will be hoping that he puts in performances of similar calibre when the new season starts.

• 
  16

  0

  3.50

  Thiago Silva

  Rarely tested too heavily by the weak New Zealand side but the new Paris Saint-Germain signing excelled at keeping their strikers quiet. A textbook centre-back performance from a player at the peak of his powers.

• 
  10

  3

  3.00

  Juan

  The Brazil central defender looked good in the heart of the back line and rarely had to deal with much more than the odd cross from corners.

• 
  29

  1

  4.50

  Marcelo

  The Real Madrid left-back was such an asset to the Selecao and his flicked pass to set up Leandro Damiao’s goal was simply sublime. A free kick from the left also provided Sandro with his goal in the second half and it was an all-round brilliant performance from the defender. If the opposition had been stronger, such a superb performance would have earned Marcelo five stars for sure.

• 
  6

  0

  3.50

  Danilo

  In his first start of London 2012, he put Brazil ahead midway through the first half with an unmarked run and a calm finish from 10 yards. Normally a defender, the Porto player was imperious in the middle of midfield.

• 
  7

  2

  3.00

  Alex Sandro

  The Porto player impressed on the left wing and assisted the second Brazil goal by squaring for Leandro Damiao to finish. Booked when he flew into an aerial challenge with a New Zealand defender midway through the second half, perhaps harshly, then sent off with 15 minutes left for diving inside the New Zealand penalty area. Replays suggest that there was contact and that his protests against the decision were justified.

• 
  10

  0

  3.50

  Sandro

  The Tottenham central midfielder tackled hard all game and his headed goal in the second half that sent Brazil three up was well timed. A top showing from the Premier League player.

• 
  13

  4

  3.00

  Lucas

  Playing on the right wing, clever footwork forced fouls throughout but his end product was not quite up to scratch. Worked hard all game though and the Manchester United target will be happy with his solid first start of the Olympics.

• 
  10

  0

  3.50

  Leandro Damião

  The Brazil No.9 tapped in his side’s second goal and improved as the game went on. A mouth-watering bit of skill on the right wing made the crowd cheer at one point in the second half.

• 
  15

  3

  3.50

  Neymar

  Put the ball in the back of the net in the first six minutes but he was called offside which ruined the excellent finish. Drew fouls and, subsequently, free kicks all match and was an absolute menace with the ball at his feet. However, he caused the crowd to gasp in disbelief when he blazed over a shot unmarked at the back post midway through the second period.

Substitutions

• 
  2

  1

  Rômulo

  Brought on with nine minutes left and was not on the field long enough to make an impact.

• 
  23

  1

  Oscar

  Called upon late in the game with little chance to stamp his authority on the game.

• 
  9

  0

  2.50

  Alexandre Pato

  The AC Milan attacker did not get much of a chance to shine after coming on for Neymar in the second half.

New Zealand Under 23

1.79

• 
  0

  0

  1.50

  Michael O'Keefe

  Got a hand on the first goal but unable to prevent Danilo putting Brazil ahead. Little he could do about the second and was not really tested much otherwise. His positioning for the third goal was, however, questionable.

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Ian Hogg

  The left-back had Rafael and Lucas Moura to contend with and was especially caught out on the counterattack a couple of times. Deservedly yellow-carded for hacking down Lucas on a run down the right just after Brazil’s third goal.

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Tommy Smith

  Alongside New Zealand veteran Ryan Nelsen, the centre-back had to deal with a barrage of Brazil attacks. His performance was not at all great but, considering that he had to deal with the likes of Damiao and Neymar, it was not appalling either.

• 
  0

  0

  1.50

  Ryan Nelsen

  The QPR defender and All Whites captain needed to put in an inspired shift to see the Oceanic nation through this game, but he did not. Struggled with the pace of Neymar and, at one point, resorted to rugby-tackling the Brazilian to the ground!

• 
  0

  0

  1.50

  Adam Thomas

  Brought off at half-time after a poor performance in the first 45 minutes of the Group C clash. The New Zealand man was just unable to contain the Brazil midfielders whenever they attacked.

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Michael McGlinchey

  The 25-year-old struggled in midfield and spent much of the match chasing Selecao shadows. He fired over with his only chance to score of the match, although the shot had taken a deflection.

• 
  2

  0

  2.50

  Marco Rojas

  Had New Zealand’s first shot of the game early on and looked decent when given space, but his side’s tendency to be on the back foot meant he did not have many other opportunities.

• 
  0

  0

  1.50

  Tim Payne

  Poor passing and strolled out of his position (right-back) far too often, which left New Zealand exposed. Took a painful-looking elbow to the face from Neymar (accidentally) a minute into the second half but recovered after a minute on the sidelines.

• 
  0

  0

  1.50

  Costa Barbarouses

  Absolutely anonymous. The left midfielder had possession very infrequently but did nothing of note with the ball when he did get it.

• 
  0

  1

  1.50

  Shane Smeltz

  The striker was marked all match by a defender who many consider to be the best in the world at the moment, Thiago Silva, so had little success. Unleashed his frustration late on with a needless swipe at the fleet-footed Neymar and was lucky to escape without a yellow card.

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Chris Wood

  Many of the All Whites fans inside the stadium were sporting T-shirts with his name on the back, but the West Brom forward failed to perform and will be disappointed with his 90 minutes.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Tim Myers

  Brought on at half-time, the substitute was yellow-carded within his first six minutes on the pitch. Had a sub-par 45 minutes.

• 
  0

  0

  Dakota Lucas

  Did not have a chance to make an impact after being brought on late in the Group C clash.