AP, Moscow :
Brazil cruised to a 3-0 friendly win at World Cup host Russia on Friday without the injured Neymar.
In freezing temperatures at Moscow’s vast Luzhniki arena, the Brazilians worked hard to break down Russia’s deep defense before three goals in 13 minutes early in the second half.
Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev parried Thiago Silva’s 53rd-minute shot into the path of Miranda, who scored from close range.
Philippe Coutinho made it 2-0 from the penalty spot nine minutes later, and Paulinho added Brazil’s third in the 66th with a header off Willian’s cross.
“I think the team is completely ready for the World Cup,” said Brazil coach Tite, whose team faces reigning World Cup champion Germany in another friendly in Berlin on Tuesday.
“We had our chances and we scored our goals,” he said through a translator. “The team achieved the goal I had set for them and that means the team understood what I would like to see from them.”
Brazil is now unbeaten in eight games since a 1-0 loss to Argentina in September, while the Russians haven’t won any of their last four.
