Richarlison was the victim of a banana thrown from the crowd as Brazil crushed Tunisia 5-1 in a friendly in Paris on Tuesday, as Neymar moved closer to Pele’s all-time scoring record for the five-time world winners.
First-half play at the Parc des Princes was also momentarily stopped twice as the fans were asked to refrain from aiming laser pens toward Brazil players.
The Brazilian football confederation (CBF) said on Twitter, “Unfortunately… a banana was thrown on the field at Richarlison, scorer of the second Brazilian goal.”
The CBF reiterates its commitment to fighting racism and condemning all acts of discrimination.
In their penultimate game before departing for the World Cup in Qatar, the Selecao put up a commanding first-half performance, with Raphinha scoring twice and Neymar closing in on Pele’s record by two goals.
Richarlison and Pedro scored, and Pedro, who came in in the second half, responded to further jeers and abuse from the fans by bowing in front of them in joy.
Brazil’s Thiago Silva, whose squad posed for a team portrait before the game with a banner conveying an anti-racism message, said, “It’s a shame, it’s painful to see things like that.”
“Unfortunately, it seems that we cannot alter people’s mindsets.
“I’m hoping they’ll see that this is ineffective, it’s the past, and that we need to adapt. But unfortunately, this mindset is still prevalent.
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Tite’s Brazil will face Serbia in their World Cup Group G opening on November 24 with a 15-match winning streak going back to their defeat to Argentina in the Copa America final last year.
The large contingent of Tunisia supporters who jeered the Brazilian national anthem before kickoff set the stage for a tense game.
I was perplexed and said, “No, it’s a lack of respect. Tite said that football is an activity that encourages diversity.
Raphinha of Barcelona, playing on the side for Barcelona, looped a beautiful header over Tunisia goalie Aymen Dahmen in the 12th minute to give Brazil the lead.
Six minutes later, Jalel Kadri’s men retaliated.
Anis Slimane’s out-swinging free-kick was met by defender Montassar Talbi, who powered a header past goalkeeper Alisson and into the bottom corner.
Amazingly, Brazil regained the lead shortly after that setback when Richarlison was placed behind by Raphinha to shoot between Dahmen’s legs for his third goal in as many games after a hat trick against Ghana.
The Tunisian fans reacted by tossing bananas and plastic glasses in the Tottenham forward’s way as he celebrated in front of them.
Before more security personnel set up residence on the field side, Fred booted the banana off the playing surface.
Neymar scores a penalty.
After making a nice move, Paqueta followed it up with a low shot that Dahmen pushed wide, nearly extending Brazil’s lead.
Despite having lasers aimed at him, Neymar went up to score his 75th international goal from the penalty spot after Casemiro was brought down in the area from the ensuing corner.
The Brazilian defense continued to be easily penetrated by the visitors. And Raphinha added another goal in the 40th minute by blasting off the post from outside the box.
Before halftime, Dylan Bronn knocked down Neymar and was severely dismissed after a short altercation between the two sides, making things much worse for Tunisia.
After the interval, Tunisia much improved, but Brazil still scored with 16 minutes left, thanks to Flamengo striker Pedro’s first international goal.
Earlier on Tuesday, World Cup hosts Qatar held Chile to a 2-2 draw in Vienna despite Alexis Sanchez missing a late penalty.
Darwin Nunez of Liverpool scored his third goal for his country as Uruguay defeated Canada 2-0 in Bratislava as they prepared for their first World Cup since 1986.
Morocco drew 0-0 with Paraguay in Seville, while Iran drew 1-1 with African champions Senegal thanks to a late goal from Sardar Azmoun.
