In a friendly match on Saturday, Brazil easily defeated Guinea, winning 4-1. Joelinton, Rodrygo, Eder Militao, and Vinicius Junior scored for the team, which played the first half in an all-black uniform for the first time ever to support an anti-racism campaign.
In support of Real Madrid player Vinicius, who was racially assaulted in a LaLiga encounter at Valencia in May—the 10th time incidents involving him have been reported by LaLiga to prosecutors this season—it was the first of two friendlies for Brazil against African nations.
A second alleged racist incident is said to have happened on Saturday before the match. According to the Brazilian Football Confederation, Felipe Silveira, a friend and advisor of Vinicius, was subjected to insults at the stadium.
In a statement, CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues stated, “The fight against racism, a crime that needs to stop around the world, is also why we are here. That’s also why our national team played the first half of the match in black. And today, once again, another criminal was publicly exposed.”
Joelinton, a midfielder for Newcastle United, scored the game’s first goal in the 26th minute with a close-range strike off a rebound.
Five minutes later, Rodrygo increased the advantage with an unstoppable strike after making a clear run down the right.
Guirassy Serhou used a deflected header after a counterattack to give Guinea the lead, but Militao increased Brazil’s lead with a thunderous header, and Vinicius sealed the victory from the penalty spot four minutes from time.
On Tuesday, Senegal and Brazil will meet in Lisbon.
