Brazil hung on for victory despite racing into a three goal lead inside the opening half an hour in a thrilling 3-2 win over Egypt.
They were forced to make a change from the team that beat Great Britain in a friendly last week, Rafael Cabral was sent home with an injury, so back-up goalkeeper Neto was promoted to make his first international start.
El Nenny got the game’s first shot on target but Neto guarded his near post well. The striker flicked the ball up in the air, continued running and volleyed from a tight angle.
Egypt started the stronger and had another chance at goal before Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao had to head behind his goal for a corner.
Hany Ramzy’s side’s set-up in the first 10 minutes was to cross the ball and any given opportunity and they were attacking more than the Brazilians.
But it was the Mano Menezes’ outfit who produced the first proper chance of opening the scoring.
Hulk weaved between four men before slipping the ball back towards Neymar who’s first time shot just whistled past El-Shenawy’s left-hand post.
Neto showed signs he was nervous when he took his time over Juan’s pass back and striker Emad Motaeb chased him down.
The goalkeeper cleared it against the striker and - fortunately for the Brazilian - the ball went over the bar.
It was not long after that Egyptian chance when Brazil opened the scoring after 16 minutes, somewhat against the run of the play.
Chelsea’s new signing Oscar changed pace and feet before playing a through ball to Rafael.
The full-back took one touch on his right foot and, without looking up, rifled home with his left for his first goal for the national side.
Damiao blasted into an open net after Oscar ran onto Hulk’s flick on. He rounded El-Shenawy and played a pass past two Egyptian defenders to Damiao who buried his chance.
It was three inside the first half an hour. Neymar showed some fancy footwork to the backline before picking out Hulk on the left-hand. The striker continued his run into the box and met Hulk’s cross into the box and headed past a helpless El-Shenawy.
It should have been four on the 40 minute mark but the goalkeeper atoned for his earlier mistake and saved well at the feet Damiao from Hulk’s whipped in free kick.
There was a good chance for the Pharaohs’ to pull one back before half-time but Mohamed Aboutrika’s free-kick did not have enough curl on the ball and it sailed harmlessly wide of Neto’s goal.
Egypt pulled a consolation goal at the start of the second-half to the delight of their captain.
Motaeb hit the post after a melee in the box and the ball fell to Aboutrika who poked the ball home to give the Pharaohs’ a glimmer of hope with under 40 minutes left of the game.
Mohamed Salah should have made it 3-2 as he tried to capitalise on Marcelo's mistake but he was always off-balance and his shot was eventually blocked by the recovering full-back.
Ahmed Fathi's long range effort just whistled past the post as Egypt continued to press without scoring.
But the goal did come and Salah did make it 3-2. He turned his man inside and out before producing a curling left-footed effort past Neto.
Marcelo and substitute Ganso went close late on for Brazil as the tournament favourites just held on for the three points.
ANALYSIS, May 18 – When Datuk Seri Najib Razak decided to name 12 East Malaysians to the Cabinet this week, the prime minister was recognising their contribution to ensuring a majority for a Barisan Nasional (BN) government.