East Rutherford (US): Roberto Firmino and Neymar scored the goals as Brazil cruised to a 2-0 international friendly victory over an inexperienced United States here Friday. Brazil, playing their first international since a disappointing World Cup quarter-final exit, were in complete control throughout a low-key encounter at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The South American giants had won their previous 10 games against the United States, whose lone victory came way back in 1998.
The opening goal came after 11 minutes, when Juventus winger Douglas Costa found himself in space on the right flank. British-born left-back Antonee Robinson rushed in to close down Costa, but was left for dead as the Brazilian skipped past him all too easily before picking out Firmino with a pinpoint low cross.
The Liverpool forward tapped in an easy finish past Columbus Crew goalkeeper Zack Steffen for 1-0.
The South Americans doubled their lead three minutes from half-time when US captain Wil Trapp clipped Fabinho in the penalty area. Neymar stepped up to stroke in his 58th international goal in his 91st game.
Neymar is now only five goals away from surpassing Ronaldo in second place on Brazil's all-time scoring charts.
Ronaldo has 62 goals, while Pele tops the charts with 77.
A Luis Suarez brace, the second a cheeky 'Panenka' penalty, helped Uruguay ease to 4-1 win over Mexico, while Argentina rebounded from a poor World Cup to thump Guatemala 3-0 in a pair of big friendly wins in the US.
The Uruguayans took the lead in Houston in the 21st minute thanks to Jose Maria Gimenez before Raul Jimenez equalised from the spot for Mexico four minutes later.
Man of the Match Suarez grabbed his double in nine first-half minutes, the second an audacious 40th-minute chipped penalty, before Gaston Pereiro completed the scoring on the hour mark with his first international goal.
Jimenez could have pulled one back for Mexico, but his second penalty of the match was saved by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera with 16 minutes remaining.
In Los Angeles, a new-look Argentina, missing Lionel Messi, who is taking a sabbatical from international football, and the retired Javier Mascherano, were still too strong for an inexperienced Central American opposition.
Gonzalo Martinez got Argentina's first from the penalty spot after 27 minutes, before Giovani Lo Celso doubled their lead eight minutes later with a sweetly struck half volley from 25 metres.
Giovani Simeone, son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, scored the third on his national team debut two minutes before half-time to complete the scoring.
In another friendly involving South American sides, Colombia came from behind to beat neighbours Venezuela 2-1 in Miami.
FRIENDLIES
BRAZIL 2
UNITED STATES 0
URUGUAY 4
MEXICO 1
