Gabriel Jesus hits brace as Brazil too good for Czech Republic

Posted Wednesday, March 27, 2019 by PA

Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus scored two late goals to give Brazil a 3-1 victory in their friendly international against the Czech Republic in Prague.

Jesus struck during the closing minutes after Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino cancelled out David Pavelka’s first-half opener for the home side.

Czech Republic manager Jaroslav Silhavy made four changes from the side beaten 5-0 by England last Friday, including a recall for former captain Marek Suchy.

📸 da vitória da #SeleçãoBrasileira!
🇧🇷 3-1 🇨🇿 / #BRAxCZE #GigantesPorNatureza pic.twitter.com/Uz3c15ibC3
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) March 26, 2019

Brazil, meanwhile, paraded the likes of Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson as they looked for a vastly-improved performance after arriving in Prague following a 1-1 draw against Panama.

Brazil took time to find their pattern, while the home side were a far more organised and impressive outfit than the one on show at Wembley.

Gabriel Jesus hits brace as Brazil too good for Czech Republic — David Pavelka fires the Czech Republic ahead (Petr David Josek/AP)

And they deservedly took the lead eight minutes before half-time when Pavelka fired a left-footed shot from outside the box that beat Alisson.

Brazil also had Casemiro and Richarlison booked during the opening half, but they were level just four minutes after the break.

The Czech Republic were powerless to prevent Firmino from finding the target with a close-range strike, and that set the tone for a dominant second-half display by the South Americans.The home side would have been hopeful of holding out for a draw, but Jesus had other ideas.

He pounced seven minutes from time with a close-range shot to put Brazil ahead, before sealing victory in the closing seconds.

His second goal was also a right-footed effort, leaving Brazil to reflect on a far more convincing display than what they produced against Panama in Porto.

The Czech Republic, meanwhile, were left to reflect on another defeat, with eight goals conceded in two games during the last six days.