Lucas Paqueta scores first Brazil goal in friendly draw with Panama

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:24 am
Lucas Paqueta celebrates his first goal for Brazil.
AP Photo/Luis Vieira

Lucas Paqueta scored his first goal for Brazil in a 1-1 draw with Panama in an international friendly at the Estadio do Dragao on Saturday.

Manager Tite gave Brazil's famed No. 10 shirt to AC Milan midfielder Paqueta and he delivered just after the half-hour mark with a cushioned volley finish at the back post after a Casemiro cross found him unmarked.

But Panama answered back moments later with a perfectly worked set piece -- Adolfo Machado guiding his long-range header past Brazil goalkeeper Ederson after running under an Eric Davis cross.

It was the first time Panama had ever scored against Brazil at senior level.

Richarlison and Casemiro hit the woodwork in the second half for Brazil but as the game went on Panama looked happy to hang on for the draw against a side who enjoyed 78 percent possession.

Tite, with one eye on the Copa America on home soil in June, opted to give starts to several young players, with Paqueta winning a third cap, defender Eder Militao his second and Porto left-back Alex Telles making his debut.

Brazil travel to Prague to play the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

Reuters was used in this report.