Lincoln, Paulinho help Brazil edge past Spain in Group C opener

Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

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Brazil came back from a goal down to beat Spain 2-1 in Group C, courtesy of first-half strikes from Lincoln and Paulinho.

Spain took an early lead through an own goal after Wesley de Oliveira Andrade put the ball in his own net from Ferran Torres' low cross in the fifth minute. Brazil came back strongly in search of an equaliser and dominated the rest of the first half. They found the equaliser in the 25th minute, when Lincoln tapped in from close range after his initial effort was saved by the keeper. They found the second in the dying moments of the first half, when Paulinho got to the end of a chipped ball from Marcos Antonio and beat the keeper from a one-on-one situation.

The absence of Vinicius Junior was not felt as Brazil's attacking trio of Lincoln, Paulinho and Brenner played better than their Spanish counterparts. Alan and Marcos Antonio gave the trio enough support.

Spain, who had five players from the famous La Masia academy and four from the Real Madrid academy, were hit hard by the high humidity of Kochi while the Brazilians were able to cope with the situation as they had been in India for more than 10 days.

The fast-paced and open match between the champion sides of South America and Europe initially promised to be a goal-fest but it was not to be. 

Spain began the match brightly, pressing hard in the attacking third and scored in the fifth minute.

Torres got the better of his marker at the right flank and sent an inch-perfect low cross for Mohammed Moukhliss to send the ball in the direction of the post. The last touch, however, was that of Wesley and an own goal was awarded against his name.

Spain dominated for a few minutes after the first goal but Brazil soon began to impose themselves on the match.

Paulinho drilled in a low shot in the 18th minute, which the Spain goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez deflected off his hands and Lincoln missed the target off the rebound.

It was a matter of time before Brazil restored parity as Paulinho, Lincoln and Brenner began to have clear looks at the Spain goal which fell in the 25th minute.

A brilliant grounded cross from the left by Brenner found Lincoln in the perfect position inside the box and he slotted the ball home in his second attempt.

Then, in the 34th minute, Spain defender Mateu Jaume was taken off due to dehydration and was replaced by Victor Perea Gomez.

Brazil took the lead in the first-half injury time through Paulinho. Marcos Antonio's lobbed pass found the forward in a perfect position to fire it in and make it 2 -1 for the South American side.

Spain did better in the second session and pressed hard for the equaliser, but Brazil's defence stood firm.