Guerrero hat-trick seals Peru win

Paolo Guerrero struck a hat-trick to help Peru claim third place in the Copa America with a 4-1 win over 10-man Venezuela on Saturday.

Guerrero’s second-half treble, coming after Willian Chiroque opened the scoring in the first half, proved enough to overcome Venezuela, who were a man down following Tomas Rincon’s 58th-minute dismissal at Estadio Ciudad de La Plata.

Peru had their first genuine sight on goal 25 minutes in, when a quick one-two on the edge of the area released Chiroque behind the defence, but his effort from a tight angle was parried by Renny Vega.

A few minutes later, Venezuela had a chance when Miku turned into space inside the penalty area, but Raul Fernandez did well to tip his shot wide.

Despite Venezuela growing in confidence as the first-half neared its end, it was Peru who opened the scoring with a blistering counter-attack.

With three minutes to go before the break, Chiroque picked up the ball inside his own half and broke with pace against the back-pedalling Venezuelan defence.

He found Guerrero on the right flank, continued his run into the box, and stroked the return pass home from two yards.

Venezuela’s task was made that much harder after they were reduced to 10 men in the 58th minute, when Rincon slid in with two feet on Carlos Lobaton.

The tackle may not have been as harsh as Lobaton made out, but referee Wilmar Roldan showed Rincon a straight red, his second dismissal of the tournament.

Things went from bad to worse for Venezuela, as Peru doubled their advantage on 65 minutes.

With gaps appearing following Rincon’s sending off, Guerrero advanced through the midfield and played Chiroque through on the right.

This time he turned provider, laying the ball back to strike partner Guerrero, who had time to control the pass and smash it into the roof of the net.

Venezuela did at least manage to return fire, with substitute Juan Arango finishing clinically on 78 minutes after Yohandry Orozco’s through ball.

But it proved to be nothing more than a consolation, with Guerrero sealing the win for Peru as the clock moved into injury time.

The Hamburg striker showed great skill to evade his marker at the top of the box, and finished with aplomb past the helpless Vega.

Two minutes later, with virtually the last kick of the game, Guerrero completed his hat-trick with a simple finish.

For Peru, the win secures their best finish in the Copa since 1983, when they also came in third.

And while Venezuela must settle for fourth, it was still their best return in 15 appearances at the tournament dating back to 1967.