While at one stage the Brazilians were cruising along and had pinned Peru on the mat in Brazil vs Peru Copa America semifinal, the closing whistle was more of a relief for the Brazilians as the Peruvians were all over them at the end. And the 1-0 scoreline in favor of the Brazilians was not a true scoreline.
Brazil vs Peru was a match of two contrasting halves for the two teams. Brazil toyed with the Peruvians in the initial 45 minutes but was warding off attack after attack from them in the second half.
Tite, the Brazilian coach has reasons to celebrate as his boys are in the finals to be played on Saturday. He will also be happy that they won’t have to return to the terrible pitch at the Nilton Santos stadium where the semi-final was played. He will also be pleased at the way things went in the first half. But then he will have to worry about the way things went in the second half.
Brazil vs Peru Match Offered Glimpses Of Brazil’s Glorious Days
Lucas Paqueta came in to strengthen the midfield. He combined well with Neymar, who was given a free run on the pitch. Richarlison alternated well between his position as a center-forward and shifting at times to defend. It was a cautious game for Danilo in his usual full-back position. Renan Lodi in the left-back position frequently burst into an attack.
Only the heroics of the Peruvian goalkeeper kept them in the reckoning. Pedro Gallese denied the Brazilians time and again but there was little he could have done to prevent the goal.
Neymar was released by Neymar to the left, he got to pass a couple of defenders and a couple of craters to finally pull back to Paqueta to score from a difficult position.
The Peruvians were without their star Andre Carrillo who was suspended for Brazil vs Peru match. But coach Gareca made a series of intelligent changes that threatened to alter the scoreline several times.
Brazil has a day to go over their game before Saturday’s final. The Brazilians would prefer to play the Argentines any day rather than the Columbians.
