Ten-man Brazil lifted their ninth Copa America title at the Maracanã on Sunday evening as they beat a stubborn Peru 3-1.
Everton Soares gave the hosts the perfect start as he powered home from close range in only the 15th minute. Despite the Selecao dominating the majority of the first-half, Peru equalised as Paolo Guerrero struck from the penalty spot. They reclaimed the lead on the stroke of half-time as Gabriel Jesus continued his fantastic form with a well-placed finish.
However, his game was ended on only the 70th minute as he was sent off for two bookable offences. It mattered not though as substitute Richarlison netted a late penalty to secure the title for the Selecao.
Strong start by Peru but hosts take the lead
Heading into the final, Peru had a huge ask on their hands but begun very well as Christian Cueva put a free-kick just wide of Alisson’s goal.
Despite their promising start, Tite’s men seized the lead through one of their stars of the tournament so far – Everton. The majority of the plaudits had to go to Jesus though who worked space on the right before picking out the Gremio man with an excellent lofted pass. Only a few yards from goal, he had all the time in the world to lash the ball home to send the Maracanã wild with his third goal of the tournament.
The hosts then went extremely close to doubling the advantage as Philippe Coutinho latched onto Roberto Firmino’s cross but poked his effort marginally wide. The Liverpool forward then sent another great chance wide as he leapt above Miguel Trauco but could only nod wide.
Peru strike from the penalty spot
Ricardo Gareca’s men then created a few great chances as the first-half drew to a close. Guerrero jinked into the penalty area and fell to the floor, with penalty appeals going the way of the referee. However, he was unmoved.
Only minutes later though, Peru did get their spot kick. Cueva and Edison Flores combined well before the former’s cross hit the hand of Thiago Silva and the referee this time pointed to the spot. Guerrero was the man to step up, and following a brief check with VAR, sent Alisson the wrong way to hit a shock equaliser.
Jesus continues great form to edge Selecao ahead again
Despite looking like the two sides were heading into the break level, Jesus had his mark on the game yet again. The Manchester City man was picked out in the middle of the pitch, drove just into the penalty area, and curled the ball into the bottom corner beyond Pedro Gallese.
Brazil kept up their attacking verve after the break and Coutinho was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet as he put a placed finish just wide. Firmino was then played through but could not capitalise as he inexplicably put a shot well wide.
Jesus red sees Brazil go down to ten
Jesus was one of the stars of the show throughout the match but his performance took a huge downturn with only 20 minutes to go. After picking up a yellow card in the first-half, he was then penalised for a second bookable offence and handed his marching orders.
That gave Peru plenty of motivation and they almost equalised as Yoshimar Yotún forced Alisson into a great, low stop. Flores then also had a great opportunity but could not get his shot on target as the ball fell to him just outside of the penalty area.
Brazil secured their victory in the final stages though as Everton was barged over in the penalty area, with a spot kick this time being awarded to the hosts. Substitute Richarlison took responsibility and netted to bag the Copa America title for the hosts.
Final Thoughts
Heading into the game, it was always going to be a tough ask for Peru. However, they put up a respectable fight at the Maracanã, starting the game excellently and of course hitting the equaliser. However, should they have stayed level for longer, the result could have been slightly different. In all though, Brazil’s quality shone through and they claimed a deserved win and ninth Copa America victory.
Match Report
Brazil: Alisson (7); D. Alves (6), Marquinhos (7), T. Silva (6), A. Sandro (7); Arthur (7), Casemiro (7), Coutinho (7), Coutinho (7) (Militao (N/A), 77′), Jesus (8), Everton (8) (Allan (N/A), 90+3′), Firmino (7) (Richarlison (7), 75′).
Peru: Gallese (7); Advincula (6), Zambrano (5), Abram (6), Trauco (5); Tapia (7) (Gonzales (N/A), 81′), Yotun (6) (Ruidiaz (N/A), 78′), Carillo (7) (Polo (N/A), 86′); Cueva (6), Flores (6), Guerrero (7).
Goals: Everton (15′), Guerrero PEN (44′), Jesus (45+3′), Richarlison PEN (89′)
Referee: Roberto Tobar
Yellow Cards: Jesus (30′, 70′), Zambrano (68′), Advincula (84′), Richarlison (89′)
Red Cards: Jesus (70′)
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