Sublime Brazil thrash stuttering Panama 6-2 in World Cup send-off

Brazil turned on the style with a 6-2 drubbing of Panama on Sunday in a lopsided World Cup send-off at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr fired the Brazilians into the lead inside the opening minute, collecting a pass from veteran midfielder Casemiro before lashing in a thunderous strike from 25 yards.

The five-time World Cup-winners were jolted though in the 14th minute when Panama grabbed a freak equaliser, Michael Murillo’s free-kick taking a wicked deflection off Matheus Cunha and sailing past Brazil keeper Alisson.

The combination of Vinicius and Casemiro restored Brazil’s advantage six minutes before half-time.

Vinicius jinked into space on the left hand side of the penalty area, and what looked like a curling shot destined for the far corner was helped into the net by a glancing header from Casemiro.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti rang the changes at half-time, replacing his entire starting line-up with the exception of Leo Pereira as the second half got under way.

The new-look Selecao wasted no time in asserting their superiority, rattling in three quick goals to put Brazil 5-1 up.

Teenager Rayan made it 3-1 in the 53rd minute, the 19-year-old Bournemouth talent collecting a misplaced pass from Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera on the right flank and calmly curling in his shot to the delight of the Maracana crowd.

Lucas Paqueta swept in Brazil’s fourth from the edge of the area in the 60th minute, and Igor Thiago made it 5-1 from the penalty spot three minutes later after being brought down by Mosquera.

Botafogo’s Danilo completed Brazil’s scoring in the 81st minute, controlling Paqueta’s floated pass into the box before wrongfooting the covering Panama defence and burying the finish.

Panama grabbed a late consolation when Carlos Harvey crashed in a 30-yard screamer.

Brazil face a final friendly against Egypt in Cleveland, Ohio next Saturday, before opening their World Cup Group C campaign against Morocco on June 13.

The Brazilians also face Haiti and Scotland in the first round of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Zee Entertainment Enterprises has secured the Indian broadcast and streaming rights for the 2026 and 2030 football World Cup, the company said Monday, ending weeks of uncertainty for hundreds of millions of fans.

The deal comes after prolonged negotiations that had left the tournament’s telecast in limbo, with concerns that fans in India could miss out on the global competition.

Broadcasters in India and across Asia had been cautious about bidding for the rights, citing worries that late-night kickoff times in the region would hurt viewership and advertising revenues.

The World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, kicks off on June 11.

“We are excited to bring one of the world’s biggest sporting spectacles to Indian audiences,” said Zee chief executive Punit Goenka.

“Our partnership with FIFA will enable us to unlock the true value of the sport... while amplifying the excitement of the game for every fan,” he added.

Zee did not disclose the value of the deal, which also includes rights to broadcast 38 other FIFA events in India between 2026 and 2034.

FIFA had reportedly sought around $100 million for the rights to the 2026 and 2030 tournaments, a valuation that drew few bidders in the Indian market, according to local media.

FIFA Chief Business Officer Romy Gai said India remained a key growth market for the sport.

“The FIFA World Cup is the greatest show on earth, and we are glad to partner with ‘Z’ for the first time to bring this global spectacle to India,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.

India, the world’s most populous nation with 1.4 billion people, are not playing at the World Cup.

Agencies