Thiago Silva and Roberto Firmino scored in each half to put Brazil at the quarter-final stage of the Copa America as they defeated Venezuela.
Silva volleyed home a corner from Robinho – starting in place of Neymar following his tournament ban – early on before Firmino converted Willian’s cross, with Miku scoring a consolation.
Thiago Silva (pictured above)
The Venezuela goalkeeper went some way to regaining himself four minutes after the restart when he reacted quickly to palm away a thumping Silva downward header which seemed destined for the bottom corner.Miku gave Venezuela hope when he nodded in a loose ball after Brazil goalkeeper Jefferson had done well to tip a Juan Arango free-kick against the post.
Brazil will now face Paraguay in the tournament quarter-finals on Saturday.Venezuela had never beaten Brazil in six Copa America games and their job was made all the harder after just nine minutes.
On the other matches Colombia and Peru also qualified after drawing earlier in the day.