RIO DE JANEIRO, July 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ten-man Brazil held on to win the Copa America on home soil despite Gabriel Jesus’s dismissal with a 3-1
victory over Peru on Sunday.
Jesus scored the decisive goal after a penalty from Peru captain Paolo
Guerrero canceled out Everton’s opener for hosts Brazil at Rio de Janeiro’s
Maracana stadium.
A last minute penalty from substitute Richarlison sealed a win for Brazil
which handed the South American giants their ninth Copa triumph and first
since 2007.
Jesus’s evening went sour 20 minutes from time as he was sent off for a
second booking.
Brazil’s players rallied after the dismissal however to claim a battling
victory.
Earlier, after a minute’s silence was held for bossa nova legend Joao Gilberto — who died on Saturday — underdogs Peru made a
confident start and didn’t appear overawed by either their opponents or the
occasion.
But it quickly became apparent that they were up against more accomplished players.
Peru coach Ricardo Gareca had said on Saturday they needed to prevent
Brazil from dominating possession, but that was easier said than done.
Brazil started to stroke the ball around commandingly, and as they did
that, they looked dangerous.
Their opening goal came from a piece of individual brilliance by Jesus,
whose drag back fooled two defenders, creating space for him to cross for the unmarked Everton to drill home at the back post on the quarter hour.
Just as it looked as if Brazil would stroll to victory, Peru went on the
attack and a Christian Cueva cross hit the arm of a sliding Thiago Silva,
giving Peru a penalty that was confirmed after a VAR review.
Guerrero sent goalkeeper Alisson the wrong way from 12 yards and Peru were back in it just before half-time.
But they paid for their lack of guile and experience with almost the last
kick of the half as Arthur was allowed to drive at the defence from midfield
following a slip from Renato Tapia that left him space to attack.
Center-back Carlos Zambano also slipped, allowing Arthur to feed Jesus in
the middle of the area and the Manchester City striker made no mistake,
finding the bottom corner.
Brazil had a few speculative shots at the start of the second half but
Silva, Dani Alves and Coutinho all failed to hit the target.
Brazil were in complete control at this stage as Peru could hardly string
two passes together.
But the dynamic changed 20 minutes from time as Jesus was given his
marching orders for a second yellow card after a late challenge on Cueva.
The onus was now on Peru to attack and Miguel Trauco brought a near post
save out of Alisson while Edison Flores fizzed a volley from outside the area
just wide.
But amidst a flurry of substitutions, fouls and injury stoppages, the
steam went out of Peru’s efforts and they were unable to exert any sustained pressure on the hosts.
Any hopes they had were extinguished when Zambrano was adjudged to have barged over Everton in the penalty area and substitute Richarlison drilled home the spot-kick into the bottom corner. — NNN-AGENCIES
