Coutinho's hat trick lifted Brazil to the lopsided victory and eliminated Haiti from the competition.
Philippe Coutinho made sure that Goliath never let David get a foothold in Wednesday's Copa America mismatch, and his teammates followed soon after.
The Brazil and Liverpool midfielder scored two first-half goals–the first on an absolute rocket–to give Brazil full control against Haiti in the opening half hour, and he tacked on another spectacular blast in the dying seconds of a 7-1 win in their Group B match in Orlando, Florida. Haiti was eliminated with the result, but did have a feel-good moment when James Marcelin scored in the 70th minute.
With Brazil coming off a scoreless draw against Ecuador, there was pressure to get off to a good start, and the Seleção did just that. Coutinho received a ball in a pocket of space, turned, picked out his space and rifled a low left-footed shot by Johnny Placide to open the scoring in the 14th minute.
This powerful strike from @Phil_Coutinho gave Brazil a 1-0 lead. His 2nd international goal! #BRAvHAI #MyCopaColors https://t.co/52fjGlUimz
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 8, 2016
He netted his second 15 minutes later, this one considerably easier. He tapped home into an empty net after a feed from Jonas. Placide tried to play a Dani Alves cross, but the loose ball fell to Jonas, and he flicked it to an unmarked Coutinho a few yards out.
All too easy for @Phil_Coutinho as he gets his second of the day to double Brazil's lead. #BRAvHAI #MyCopaColors https://t.co/m38RJlhHx9
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 9, 2016
Renato Augusto made it 3-0 in the 35th with a clinical header. Placide's giveaway to Dani Alves allowed the outgoing Barcelona right back to send another cross in from the right, and Augusto executed a perfect header to extend the lead.
Renato Augusto heads in Brazil's 400th #CopaAmerica goal to take a commanding lead over Haiti #BRAvHAI #MyCopaColors https://t.co/nI2Va4oYdI
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 9, 2016
Gabriel, 19, made it 4-0 Brazil in the 59th minute. The second-half sub scored the second goal of his career in just his third match, extending the lead with a confident left-footed finish. Elias won the ball in midfield and sprung Gabriel, known as "Gabigol," into the box.
Goal difference is important! Gabriel slots home to make it 4-0, Brazil. #BRAvHAI #MyCopaColors https://t.co/kyAD5WIYbX
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 9, 2016
Lucas Lima, another substitute, increased the lead to 5-0 off a header in the center of the box. Dani Alves found the Santos midfielder unmarked, and he adjusted to head across his body and score.
Earlier, Lucas Lima made it 5-0 for Brazil. #BRAvHAI #MyCopaColors https://t.co/eHVLWtYt7p
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 9, 2016
Haiti didn't go quietly, though. Marcelin brought the Haiti fans at Camping World Stadium to their feet by finishing off a rebound in the 70th minute for the nation's first Copa America goal. Listen to the great Haitian radio call of the goal here.
Augusto got his second in the 86th minute to restore the five-goal edge. He took advantage of some slack defending, cutting down the center and finishing with ease, low and to the right.
#BRAvHAI: Augusto fue el autor del sexto gol de @CBF_Futebol. #CopaAmerica #UDCentenario https://t.co/xzSCjnjyyc
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 9, 2016
Coutinho capped the rout with another highlight-reel blast, curling a 23-yard attempt by a helpless Placide in the final moments of the match to notch his hat trick and deliver a 7-1 scoreline that Brazil can be happy about, for once.
#BRAvHAI: Coutinho anotó el séptimo tanto de @CBF_Futebol al 91'. #UDCentenario. https://t.co/zlLSKxlIiI
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 9, 2016
Brazil will play Peru in its final group game on June 12.