Brazil Beats Peru 1-0 to Advance to Copa America Finals
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil’s players didn’t want to take part in Copa America. Look at them now. The Selecao advanced to the final after beating Peru 1-0 in the semifinals on Monday. Shortly after, their star said he hoped to see their archrivals on Saturday at Maracana Stadium. “I want Argentina in the final,” Neymar said. “I am cheering for them because I have many friends there. In the final,” he added, laughing, “Brazil will win.” Argentina faces Colombia in the other semifinal on Tuesday. Only Lionel Messi’s Argentines can match Brazil’s campaign so far with five wins in six Copa matches.
Nilton Santos stadium:
Neymar made the difference on the bumpy pitch at Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The only goal arrived in the 34th minute after he tricked defender Alexander Callens on the left edge of the box and assisted Lucas Paquetá, who pushed the ball in. Paquetá started the tournament on the bench but has become one of Brazil’s leading players. He constantly received the ball in the middle, eased the pressure on Neymar, and marked with intensity. Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese starred, notably making two difficult saves from short range in the 18th from Neymar and Richarlison.
Brazil gave the impression it could score when it wanted against Peru, which it beat 4-0 in the group stage and 3-1 in the final two years. But the second half was very different: Gianluca Lapadula forced goalkeeper Ederson to make a key save in the 49th after a cross. Brazil continued to waste counterattacks.
The first semifinal match-up of the 2021 Copa America ⚔️
Brazil vs. Peru
Monday, 7 p.m. ET pic.twitter.com/QUKttsK9mY— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 3, 2021
On this day, 8 years ago Brazil won the Confederations Cup by beating Spain 3-0 in the final.
Neymar in the 2013 Confederations Cup:
⚽️ 5 Games
🥅 4 Goals
🅰️ 3 Assists
🌟 4 MOTM🥇 Golden Ball winner
🥉 Bronze Boot winner pic.twitter.com/6YAJpvlugN— Team Neymar (@_TeamNeymar) June 30, 2021
Midfielder Casemiro:
Midfielder Casemiro was one of the players who criticized CONMEBOL for sending the Copa to Brazil. “Now it is all about mentality and heart. You don’t play a final, you win a final,” he said. Brazil will seek its 10th title in the South American championship in its ninth final in the latest 14 editions. The final will feature no spectators, just like every other Copa match. Peru will play on Friday in the third-place playoff against the loser of Tuesday’s semifinal. “Peru has young players who did well,” coach Ricardo Gareca said. “We wish we had advanced, but now we have to prepare in the best way possible for the future.”
