Peru 0-5 Brazil
Brazil had to bring their Copa America campaign to life.
They knew it, the hordes of Selecao fans around the world knew it and even this SBOBET writer knew it.
There is always pressure on the nation many still consider the finest advocates of association football the world has ever seen.
Yet after an unconvincing result last time out, the onus was on Tite and his players to produce Copa America highlights and show some semblance of form to suggest they can reclaim their place on South America’s throne.
The overall Copa America betting odds remain open minded about that for the time being but, at least this result, coupled with an opening tournament victory over Bolivia, has secured their place in the quarter-finals.
A place in the Rio Di Janeiro showpiece on July 7 remains a possibility.
Highlights of the game
Surely lightning wasn’t going to strike twice in this encounter?
It was when they last met in the tournament three years ago that Peru sent shockwaves around the footballing world: when a 75th minute goal from Raul Ruidiaz sent Peruvians into dreamland and their nation into the quarter-finals.
The historic victory knocked Brazil out and was highly controversial, scored – as it was – by the hand of Ruidiaz.
After their first victory over Brazil in 31 years, Tite’s team was clearly in no mood to allow them another.
In fact, the contest was over just past the half hour mark.
That’s how long it took the hosts to score three goals without reply.
First, Casemiro headed home the opener from close range following a Marquinhos corner which had sparked a goalmouth scramble.
The Real Madrid midfielder had already hit the post moments earlier.
Seven minutes later Roberto Firmino doubled the lead with a shot and, although Peru were spirited, Tite’s men seemed to have the knack of scoring at the right time to deflate their opponents.
That was the case in the 32nd minute.
Just after Peru star man and skipper Paolo Guerrero saw an effort blocked, Brazil sealed the points.
Philippe Coutinho provided the assist and there was Everton Soares as the swashbuckling Selecao turned on the style in Sao Paulo.
Peru desperately needed to stop conceding goals so they could stay alive in the fight for qualification, so manager Ricardo Gareca made a few defensive substitutions to stop the bleeding and slow down the Brazilian attack.
Yet the pattern continued into the second period, as ruthlessly shown eight minutes after the restart.
Guerrero had seen his shot saved by goalkeeper Alisson before Brazil broke down the other end of the pitch and there was marauding full-back Dani Alves, the captain, firing home high and with power after a Firmino pass.
Substitute Willian’s curling shot rounded off the scoring in the final minute, an impressive effort from outside the box into the bottom right hand corner.
Indeed, only a fine save from the busy Pedro Gallese prevented Gabriel Jesus from adding a stoppage time sixth from the penalty spot after the goalkeeper had initially fouled the forward.
It didn’t matter. Peru were pulverised. How Brazil needed this. Tougher tests will come, of course, but they looked imperious in this one
Key statistics
At the age of 36 years and 47 days, Alves is the oldest Brazilian player to score in a Copa America game for almost a century – at least, the last 96 years.
Casemiro’s opener was his first goal for Brazil on his 39th cap.
Everton Soares has two goals in the Copa America, both from outside the box – only Chile’s Eduardo Vargas has scored as many goals from long range in this tournament.
This was Guerrero’s 96th appearance for Peru and he is now the fifth most capped player for the Peruvian national team, overtaking former Newcastle United favourite Nolberto Solano (95).
Brazil have now won 32 and lost only four of their 45 meetings with Peru. The other nine meetings have ended all square.
Until tonight, Peru had been unbeaten in their last seven Copa America games (won four, drawn three), their longest unbeaten run in the competition’s history
What’s next?
Brazil await to find out their quarter-final opponents are on Friday (June 28).
It’s unclear whether Peru will join them in the last eight. As a result of Venezuela’s victory over Bolivia, they have finished in third place in Group A and must wait to see if they can qualify as one of the best third place finishers – something that will be decided over the next few days.
Venezuela are through after securing second spot in the group.
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