Bolivia 1-3 Peru
Peru got off the mark at the 2019 Copa America tonight with a well-earned win over Bolivia at the Estadio do Maracana.
After going behind to a Marcelo Moreno penalty, the Incas responded superbly and it was the proven pair of Paolo Guerrero and Jefferson Farfan who put Peru ahead with two clinical finishes before Edison Flores added a third in injury time.
Tonight’s Group A game in Copa America, Bolivia vs Peru was billed as a potential playoff for second place; with our SBOBET tips backing Brazil to take top spot…who else?
Eduardo Villegas defended his team after they came under harsh criticism following a limp display against Brazil in the tournament opener, and they put up a better fight against the Incas in the first half, but in the end, Bolivia just didn’t have to quality to beat better opponents and were overrun.
Highlights of the game
Having failed to break down Venezuela in their opening fixture, Peru still persevered with just one up front, Paolo Guerrero leading the line with Jefferson Farfan sitting a little deeper, while Bolivia started with two up top, Raul Castro alongside star man Marcelo Moreno.
In a must-win game for both teams, the strikers were always going to dominate the Bolivia vs Peru highlights, but in a cagey opening neither attack made much progress, and the first real effort on target came on 22 minutes.
Farfan drew a foul from Leonel Justiniano within sight of goal, and he picked himself up to fire the free-kick just wide of the top right corner.
That sparked an immediate response from Bolivia and when Fernando Saucedo picked up a pass from Erwin Saavedra he fired s shot in which cannoned off the arm of Carlos Zambrano and the ref pointed to the spot, booking Zambrano in the process.
Up stepped Marcelo to fire his spot kick low into the bottom left corner, giving Incas keeper Pedro Gallese no chance.
Peru responded well and Guerrero came close when he met a cross from Andy Polo but his close-range effort was blocked, and the busy Farfan rose highest to meet a Christian Cueva corner but his header flew narrowly wide of the post.
Then, on the stroke of half time, the Incas got the equaliser they deserved; and it was that man Guerrero latching on to a through ball from Cueva and finishing superbly with a cross-shot from a tight angle.
Bolivia had the first attempt of the second half, Raul Castro taking a pass from Alejandro Chumacero, just outside the penalty area, and firing his effort just past the right post. But Peru hit back quickly and with devastating effect, Guerrero crossing for Farfan to plant his header home to make it 1-2.
The two seasoned campaigners linked up again moments later, this time Guerrero nodding the ball down only for Farfan to blast high and wide.
Bolivia tried to fight back and Raul Castro forced a good save from Gallese with a low shot from distance, but Peru continued to go forward in search of a third goal.
Guererro put Andy Polo through but his effort was straight at Carlos Lampe. Then the Bolivia keeper was stretched rather more when Luis Advincula fired a shot from distance towards the bottom right corner.
The Incas attacked until the final whistle and the third came on 96 minutes when Farfan fed Edison Flores who slid the ball home to seal the win.
Key statistics
Our pre-match Bolivia vs Peru predictions tipped Peru to be ahead by the break and in a tight opening half, they dominated possession with 58 per cent of the ball and winning the shot count by five to three. But after Bolivia went ahead, Peru could only draw level on the stroke of half time.
The Incas proven attack was in fine form, Guerrero’s first-half equaliser was his 36th for Peru, and Farfan scored his 27th to put Peru ahead early in the second half.
Bolivia only managed one shot on target throughout the 90 minutes against Brazil and they doubled that tonight, but Peru had ten on target by the final whistle. And that means Bolivia is winless in nine games, and in the last four against Peru.
What’s next?
Bolivia faces Venezuela next but qualification looks highly unlikely for Villegas’ men now, while Peru faces up to Brazil at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo. After a poor showing against Venezuela the Incas will feel better after this game, and will face the favourites with more confidence.
They’ll need more than that to beat the Selecao though, but play like they did in the second half tonight and they have a chance.
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