Brazil secured a commanding 4-0 victory over India in a friendly match held on Thursday at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The encounter marked the first time a senior men's Brazilian national team played in India, drawing significant local interest despite a turnout well below the stadium's 65,000 capacity.

Brazil, a five-time FIFA World Cup champion, featured prominent players such as Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior and defender Marquinhos from Paris Saint-Germain. However, the attendance appeared subdued, with critics attributing the low crowd numbers to high ticket prices, even as the Indian public showed enthusiasm for the rare opportunity to witness top-level international football.

India, ranked 138th in the FIFA world standings, aims to increase the popularity of football within a nation where cricket dominates the sports landscape. The match provided the Indian team valuable exposure against a globally elite opponent.

Brazil opened the scoring in the 28th minute through Chelsea forward Estevao, who found the net with a precise left-footed shot past Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The goal unsettled the Indian defense, and Brazil extended their lead just before halftime when Pedro converted an opportunity in the 42nd minute.

In the second half, Samuel Lino, who replaced Vinicius Junior, contributed two goals to cement Brazil’s dominance. Lino scored first in the 58th minute and added a second goal near the end of the match, finalizing the scoreline at 4-0.

While the result highlighted the gulf in experience and quality between the two sides, the hosting of Brazil's senior team underscores India's ongoing efforts to elevate football's status domestically and inspire future growth within the sport.