Santos’ 19-year-old striker Gabriel Barbosa took just ten minutes on the field to score his first goal for the Brazilian national team, as the South Americans defeated Panama 2-0.
The Santos striker found the net 27 minutes into the second half at Denver, after the Panamanian defence failed to clear the ball inside their box. Just like his idol Neymar, Gabigol wore the number 11 shirt on his debut for the Seleção, and found the net. In an interview with TV Globo, Gabigol expressed his immense joy of scoring on his senior debut and said he has realized a dream by playing alongside some of his idols. He said: “I am delighted with my debut and the goal. I want to thank the coach for the opportunity. I’m here to help and learn, as I always say. Several players here are my idols. I’ve fulfilled a dream to play with Dani Alves and Kaká, players I used to follow on television.”