Brazil held to 1-1 draw by Panama in friendly

Porto (Portugal), March 24 (IANS) AC Milan midfielder Lucas Paqueta scored his first international goal as a lackluster Brazil drew 1-1 with Panama in an international friendly.In the match here on Saturday, Paqueta put the five-time world champions ahead in the 31st minute by meeting Casemiro's diagonal cross with a volley that goalkeeper Luis Mejias failed to grasp, reports Xinhua news agency.However, Panama equalised shortly after when Adolfo Machada sent a looping header past goalkeeper Ederson.Brazil dominated possession but Richarlison and Casemiro were both denied by the woodwork in the second half as Panama ended a run of four consecutive defeats against the South American team.The Selecao were without Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar as he continues his recovery from a fractured metatarsal injury. Coach Tite handed a debut to left-back Alex Telles while his Porto teammate Eder Militao made his second appearance.
--IANS bbh/ksk