Copa America: La Celeste Aim to End Minnows’ Dream

Uruguay vs Peru

With each passing moment this week, the importance of Edinson Cavani’s late goal to secure top spot in Copa America Group C is clear.

For not only did it ensure La Celeste defeated holders Chile in the group stages and overtook them in the standings but it created this quarter-final against the nation ranked 21^st in the world and avoided meeting this SBOBET writer’s tip for the trophy in Colombia.

With full respect to the minnows of Peru who claimed four points in their group, they have already been ruthlessly shown to be a level below what is required to challenge for the title of kings of South America.

Talking Points

This is certainly an ideal chance for record 15-times winners Uruguay to produce more Copa America highlights in the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador.

That’s because, respectfully, there is a clear difference in quality at the disposal of both countries.

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In fact, Uruguay are a good bet to regain the crown they last won in 2011 and have world class talent at both ends of the pitch.

Coach Óscar Tabárez knows his team lacks creativity in the middle third so is more than happy to bypass that area of the pitch and get the ball to star strikers Luis Suárez and Cavani as quickly as possible.

Tabarez has brought through fresh legs in midfield though, with the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur of Juventus, Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde and Arsenal grafter Lucas Torreira – someone who impressed in the Premier League last season – all able to show their quality on this stage.

What’s more Uruguay are a side in form.

They have won five of their previous six outings, scoring 17 goals and keeping five clean sheets in the process. They have also kept clean sheets in 11 of their last 20 matches so have substance to add to their style.

Not that Peru should be written off. Their manager Ricardo Gareca may know his side do not have Uruguay’s star quality but they do have patience and can be happy to sit back and hit teams on the break.

Their status as underdogs doesn’t alter the fact they have pace down the flanks and dangermen of their own in Christian Cueva and veteran Paolo Guerrero.

It also doesn’t alter the fact they can be physical when required.

Yet realistically, anything other Uruguay progression will be a major surprise and a rematch with Chile or a semi-final date with Colombia next week.

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History

Last time out, in a World Cup qualifier just over two years ago, Peru pulled off a surprise as goals from Guerrero and Edison Flores sealed a 2-1 win over La Celeste who finished the encounter with 10 men.

Uruguay had won the earlier meeting 12 months previously with a Cavani goal as both nations reached Russia 2018.

Traditionally, this fixture has been very much in favour of Uruguay with 37 victories to Peru’s 16 and a further 13 draws.

In fact, that 2-1 victory in 2017 remains Peru’s only success against them since 2009.

In the 2011 Copa America, the sides drew 1-1 in the group stages when Guerrero and Suarez traded goals, yet Uruguay prevailed when they met for a second time later in the tournament – in the semi-finals – thanks to a Suarez double as they went onto win the trophy.

A word of warning for the favourites, however.

They also met in the competition in 2007 when Peru recorded an impressive group stage 3-0 victory, courtesy of goals from Miguel Villalta, Juan Carlos Marino and the ever-green Guerrero.