The Liverpool midfielder was the star of the show for the five-time World Cup winners, who dominated proceedings from start to finish against the rank outsiders.

The scoreline would have provoked bad memories along a large contingent of the Brazilian squad, however, as it was the same margin of defeat they suffered at the hands of Germany in a humiliating World Cup semi-final loss on home soil two years ago.

Coutinho broke the deadlock early on as he evaded his defender before finding the net from just inside the area and he then doubled their lead 15 minutes later with a tap-in after Jonas had squared the ball across goal.

Renato Augusto effectively killed the game as a contest with the third just after the half-hour mark.

With the result all-but guaranteed, Brazil took their foot of the gas but were still able to add to their tally at will as Gabriel netted the fourth before Lucas Lima converted Dani Alves’ pinpoint cross to make it 5-0.

Haitian striker Marcelin gave his nation something to cheer as he scored a consolation goal but Augusto quickly restored Brazil’s five-goal advantage with his second shortly after.

Coutinho completed his-track in style in the dying embers with a well-hit strike from 25 yards out which flew into the net as Brazil surged to the top of Group B.

In the other match in the group, Ecuador fought back to salvage a 2-2 draw with Peru in a thrilling encounter at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona.

Peru were rapid out of the blocks as Christian Cueva and Edison Flores scored inside the first 13 minutes to give them a 2-0 lead.

The Ecuadorians, who had held Brazil in their Copa América Centenario opener, halved the deficit thanks to Enner Valencia six minutes before half-time and they were level shortly after the restart as Miler Bolanos finished from close range.

The match ended on a negative note for Ecuador as Gabriel Achilier was sent off for two bookable offences late on and neither side could quite find a winner.

Brazil and Peru currently have four points and both will qualify if Ecuador fail to beat Haiti in their final Group B clash.