The two sides met in the third match of the group stages, which saw the Selecao emerge with a whopping 5-0 victory. They couldn’t manage a repeat of that scoreline in the final, but they won’t be complaining, as they secured their first Copa America title for 12 years.
The home side started shakily, but soon got to grips with an energetic Peruvian side and they began to take control of the game. They made their pressure count when an unmarked Everton steered the ball home from a deep Gabriel Jesus cross on 15 minutes.
Unlike this fixture a couple of weeks ago, Peru were able to maintain their composure, restrict Brazil’s play and keep the score down to 1-0 for the majority of the half. That was until they were awarded a penalty just before half-time, which Paolo Guerrero duly stuck home to draw the score level on 44 minutes.
Just as Peru manager Ricardo Gareca thought he would have a positive team talk to give at the break, Jesus broke through to regain the Brazilian lead with the last kick of the half. A sucker punch for Peru.
The second half was fairly uneventful, as Peru looked happy to keep their one-goal deficit until a golden opportunity presented itself. And in a way, it did in the 70th minute as Jesus was given a harsh second yellow card, reducing the hosts to ten men. Peru smelled blood.
- source : bbc
