Thousands of fans occupied the Stade Oceane in France to watch the much anticipated international friendly between Ghana and Brazil.
It seemed, to chant, gyrate and revel. From what could have been a meaningless friendly they conjured a momentous event. This was intoxicating fun, from long before kick-off.
The match was a debut game for Ghana’s new boys, Inaki Williams, Mohammed Salisu, and Tariq Lamptey. They all came off the bench to wear the red jersey of the four times African champions but they ended up with defeat.
Neymar, Vinicius Junior, and Richarlison were the showmen Brazilian who impressed most, every slinky touch bringing yelps of acclaim and roars for encores as the five times champions defeated Ghana 3-0.
Brazil opened the scoreline with an early minute strike from Marquihos.
The goal came when Raphinha shot in a corner with precision from the right sector and Marquinhos climbed higher than the Ghana defens, headed into the back of the goal during the fifth minute.
On the fifteenth minute, the Selecaos nearly scored the second goal with Vinícius Júnior exchanging passes with Neymar, received back and crossed into the area. Raphinha appeared again, tried to finish on a bicycle, but got the ball wrong again
The Tottenham Hotspur player went on to finish with powerful brace, helping the Americans to secure a positive scoreline ahead of the World Cup.
In the second half, Otto Addo’s substitution brought an improvement with new boy Inaki Williams pressing for goals from the wings.
Ghana almost got a consolation goal in the early stages of the second half but Andre Ayew’s header exploded on the crossbar.
Ghana went on with counterattack, puts a low ball inside the area, but Jordan Ayew couldn’t finish the play.
However, the scoreline was not the one the Ghanaians were expecting from this test but the Brazilian’s first half stylish performance saw them claiming a 3-0 win.
Ghana will on Tuesday face Nicaragua in Spain to wrap the September international break for the World Cup.
