Peru 0-5 Brazil: Selecao book quarter-final spot with eye-catching rout

Brazil booked top spot in Group A of the Copa America with a 5-0 thumping of Peru at the Corinthians Arena on Saturday evening.

Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro gave Tite’s troops the perfect start as he tapped home from close range. Firmino doubled the lead only minutes later in somewhat fortunate circumstances. Everton Soares was the next to get on the scoresheet before the break with an excellent strike, with Dani Alves also getting in on the action with a brilliant goal of his own after half-time.

Willian was introduced off of the bench and got on the scoresheet himself with an eye-catching effort. Brazil could have finished with a flourish as Gabriel Jesus won a spot kick in the final few minutes but could not beat Pedro Gallese to get himself on the scoresheet in the hosts’ impressive victory.

Brazil up the tempo

In comparison to their past two games in the Copa America, in which they have been criticised for slow starts, Brazil started excellently. From their first real opportunity, they took the lead. Philippe Coutinho’s corner was flicked on into the Peru penalty area, with Casemiro slamming it home. Following a brief check with VAR, the goal was given.

The second strike was another woeful piece of defending from Peru, specifically goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. His kick ricocheted off of Firmino and onto the post, before it found its way back to the Liverpool man. The striker coolly rounded the stopper and tucked the ball into the unguarded net.

With Brazil firmly on top, Peru’s first opportunity was carved out from a free-kick as Paolo Guerrero curled an effort just over the crossbar but that was pretty much the only chance they created.

Hosts cruise before the break

A fantastic effort from Everton then saw Brazil end the first-half in an even more impressive way. The Gremio forward cut inside and struck with a well-placed finish inside the near post for his second goal in the Copa America so far.

Casemiro could have made the half-time scoreline even more impressive but his header drifted just wide of the post.

Dani Alves adds a fourth after half-time

The hosts did not let up on the pressure in the second period as they plundered a fourth goal. Following stunning build-up play, Alves tore down the right flank, stormed into the box and unleashed a powerful effort into the roof of the net.

Chances continued to come for the hosts with Gabriel Jesus and Arthur also coming close. Luis Advincula took matters into his own hands as he produced a scything challenge on Everton and was fortunate to have not seen red.

Brazil finish with a flourish

As the game edged towards full-time, Brazil again did not take their foot off of the pedal as substitute Willian notched a goal of his own. Following a short corner, the Chelsea man picked up the ball in the corner of the penalty area and drove home a great effort that left Gallese grasping at thin air.

They could have got another only a few minutes later as Jesus was fouled in the penalty box. However, the Manchester City man could not get the goal that his performance deserved as the Peru goalkeeper produced a fantastic save to keep the final deficit at five.

Final Thoughts

Brazil finally gave the type of performance that their supporters were craving for. From kick-off, the Selecao were relentless and did not give Gallese in the Peru goal any time to relax. Despite hitting five, it could potentially have been more, with Jesus and Everton standing out particularly for Tite’s troops. The Selecao now soar into the next round, whilst Peru face an anxious wait to find out if they will go through as one of the best performing third-placed teams.

Match Report

Peru: Gallese (6), Trauco (5), Abram (5), Araujo (5), Advincula (4); Yotun (5) (Flores (5), 46′), Tapia (5), Cueva (6) (Ballon (5), 67′), Farfan (5), Polo (6); Guerrero (5) (Gonzales (6), 55′).

Brazil: Alisson (6); Luis (6) (Sandro (6), 57′), Silva (7), Marquinhos (7), Alves (8); Casemiro (7) (Allan (6), 70′), Arthur (7); Everton (8), Coutinho (7) (Willian (7), 77′), Jesus (8); Firmino (7).

Goals: Casemiro (12′), Firmino (19′), Everton (32′), Alves (53′), Willian (89′)

Referee: Fernando Rapallini

Yellow Cards: Casemiro (10′), Yotun (16′), Silva (78′), Advincula (81′)

Red Cards: N/A