Brazil in morale-boosting France win

Brazil continued their resurgence since their nightmare 7-1 hammering against Germany in the World Cup with a morale-boosting 3-1 victory in Paris.

France started the better and went ahead through a Raphael Varane header but a well-worked Oscar goal saw Brazil level just before the break.

The goal appeared to galvanise the visitors under new manager Dunga and they were arguably the better side after the break, Neymar blasting them ahead from a tight angle before Luiz Gustavo finished the job by nodding home his second for Brazil.

France’s defeat was their first since losing to Germany in the World Cup quarter-finals but Brazil have now won seven friendly matches since their nightmare defeat against the same opponents, scoring 17 goals and conceding only two with a 100% record under their new boss. It all bodes well going into their imminent Copa America match against Chile.

PRE-MATCH: A touching moment as a minute’s silence is observed following the awful aviation tragedy in France.

7’- GREAT SAVE JEFFERSON: It looks for all the world as if Benzema will crown his first game in charge with a goal but his far post header following a corner is wonderfully clawed out of the top corner.

19’ – GOOD SAVE MANDANDA: He stretches to palm out a Neymar shot with his left hand.

21’ – GOAL! France 1-0 Brazil: Varane climbs high to head France into the lead from Valbuena’s corner.

40’ – GOAL! France 1-1 Brazil: Nice interplay between Firmino and Oscar, who gets the pass back in the box before slotting it between Mandanda’s legs.

57’ – GOAL! France 1-2 Brazil: Neymar scores his eighth goal in his last seven games for Brazil, hammering the ball past Mandanda and into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

59’ – BIG MISS BENZEMA: A lovely cross from Valbuena finds the striker but he leans back and blazes over from close range.

69’ – GOAL! France 1-3 Brazil: Gustavo heads home direct from the corner for only his second goal in Brazil colours.

Karim Benzema becomes the fifth French player to captain the side under Didier Deschamps.

Neymar scores his eighth goal for Brazil in seven matches.

Luiz Gustavo scfores his second goal in Brazil colours.

This was France’s first defeat since the loss to Germany in the World Cup.

Brazil have now won seven friendly matches since their nightmare defeat against Germany, scoring 17 goals and conceding only two under their new boss.

Dunga has Brazil buzzing. There was little sign of the defensive frailties that ended Brazil’s World Cup campaign and their back four looked comfortable after weathering an early France storm. Still with an abundance of quality in attack, it bodes well for the future.

Oscar (Brazil): The architect of all things creative about Brazil going forward. The Chelsea player capped a fine performance with a well-worked goal.

France: Mandanda 7, Evra 6, Sagna 6, Sakho 6, Varane 7, Matuidi 6, Schneiderlin 6, Sissoko 6, Benzema 6, Griezmann 7, Valbuena 7. SUBS: Kondogbia 6, Payet 6, Fekir 7, Giroud 6.

Brazil: Jefferson 7, Luis 6, T. Silva 7, Miranda 6, Danilo 6, Elias 7, L. Gustavo 7, Willian 7, Neymar 7, Oscar 8, Firmino 6. SUBS: Fernandinho 6, Costa 6, Adriano 6, Souza 6, Marcelo 6.