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Brazil 7 Haiti 1: Coutinho hat-trick inspires Copa America rout

Philippe Coutinho netted a hat-trick as Brazil kick-started their Copa America Centenario campaign with a 7-1 win over Haiti.

Brazil played out a contentious goalless draw with Ecuador last time out but there was nothing controversial about Wednesday's Group B victory as Philippe Coutinho put the result beyond doubt against the Caribbean minnows during the first 45 minutes in Orlando.

Brazil, though, were exposed in defence as James Marcelin scored Haiti's first Copa America goal with 20 minutes remaining.

For all of Brazil's dominance, they were often sloppy in possession but that did not stop them from doubling their lead via Coutinho just shy of the half-hour mark in an all too easy sequence of play.

Dani Alves crossed in from the right flank, picking out Jonas, who outmuscled two opponents, including the keeper, and squared the ball to an unmarked Coutinho for the Liverpool star to tap into an empty net for Brazil's 400th Copa America goal.

Haiti emerged from the half-time break on the front foot, threatening at times but they were not clinical enough as Gabriel came off the bench to extend Brazil's lead.

Staking his claim for a starting berth after replacing Jonas at the interval, teenager Gabriel was fed through by Elias and coolly slotted the ball past Placide on the hour.

Brazil showed no signs of easing up on Haiti as fellow substitute Lucas Lima got in on the action in the 68th minute, nodding home Alves' cross.

Haiti, though, did score, with USA-based forward Marcelin thumping home the 70th-minute rebound after Alisson was unable to deal with Hilaire's shot following a driving run from Nazon.

There was almost a sixth for Brazil after Gabriel's impressive footwork but Willian's stinging shot was saved by Placide with 12 minutes remaining, however Augusto completed his brace in the 86th minute with a tidy finish and Coutinho bagged his third late in stoppage time as the South American giants extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches.