13 June 2016

Late goal lifts Peru 1-0, eliminates Brazil in Copa America

Brazil's Philippe Coutinho, left, and Peru's Christian Cueva (10) chase the ball during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Peru's recent history against Brazil is marked by lots of losses and a few missed opportunities.

That changed in a big way Sunday night — with the help from a fortunate non-call.

Peru stunned Brazil 1-0, eliminating the soccer power from Copa America on a late goal by Raul Ruidiaz that may have been a hand ball. It was Peru's first victory over the perennial power since 1985, and gave Peru the Group B title and a quarterfinal match against Colombia on Friday.

Dominated for most of the game, Peru's Andy Polo managed a takeaway and crossed to Ruidiaz in the box. He deflected the ball into the net, and Brazil keeper Alisson immediately complained the ball also made contact with Ruidiaz's hand. After a lengthy discussion by referees, the goal was allowed in the 75th minute.
"Perhaps Brazil at one point had the upper hand," Peru coach Ricardo Gareca said. "You have to be able to defend well. Peru did a good job of defending and when the time was right for us to attack we attacked."
Ruidiaz's goal came just about 10 minutes after he subbed in for Edison Flores.
Asked if he thought the goal should have been allowed, Gareca declined offer an opinion saying he hadn't seen the replays.
"This is part of the margin of error that exist in every game," he said.
Peru’s goalkeeper Pedro Gallese sends the ball over the net in front of Brazil's Willian (19) during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Peru had 10 losses and six draws against Brazil since 1985. Brazil is eliminated after reaching at least the quarterfinals of every Copa America since 1993.
"It was a very disputed game. At the end of the game things happened that aren't dependent on the coaches or players," Brazil coach Dunga said. "They took four minutes to talk about the play. There's no way for the player or coach to influence that."
While the group stage loss could also put Dunga's job in jeopardy, he said he wasn't thinking about his job security.
The Brazil national team poses for a group photo before a Copa America Group B soccer match against Peru on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
"I only fear death," Dunga said.
He was definitive in saying the goal was a missed call on the referee's part.
"The fans saw how Brazil was eliminated, the goal was scored with his hand," he said.
Ecuador locked up second place in Group B with its 4-0 win over Haiti in Sunday's early game, and will play Group A winner United States on Thursday in Seattle.
Brazil made a handful of lineup changes, starting Lucas Lima in place of suspended midfielder Casemiro. In addition, defender Miranda got the nod over Marquinhos, and forward Gabriel Barbosa started in place of Jonas.
Brazil controlled the pace in the first half, but wasn't able to complete any of its attacks all night.
Brazil's Miranda, foreground, heads the ball in front of Peru's Paolo Guerrero during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
In the 27th minute, Elias found Barbosa with a quick cross, but goalkeeper Pedro Gallese got enough of his fingertips on the ball to tap away Barbosa's left-footed shot toward the left corner of the net.
Then in the 36th minute, Filipe Luis got the ball to a cutting Willian as he found some space at the top of the box. Willian couldn't get off a controlled shot, though, and his attempt sailed wide left.
Gallese came through again a few minutes later, deflecting another Barbosa shot over the top of the crossbar.
Peru had no shots on goal in the first half and struggled to set up chances. Meanwhile, top scorer Jose Guerrero battled through a pair of collisions that sent him to the turf.
In the second incident, in the 29th minute, Guerrero needed attention from the training staff after he was sent to the ground by a knee to the midsection from Gil, and then was kicked in the leg as he tried to clear the ball.
Peru’s goalkeeper Pedro Gallese dives for the ball during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match against Brazil on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Peru's best scoring opportunity came in a flurry just before the end of the half when Flores got free in box, and appeared to be tripped by Miranda but didn't receive a foul call.
Dunga said he was confident Brazil will recover from this latest setback, and urged that no one rush to judgment.
"We are going through a transition period and we have to be patient," he said. "We Brazilians don't have patience. We want a solution overnight, but that can't happen." 
(AP)
The Peru national team poses for a group photograph before a Copa America Group B soccer match against Brazil on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
The Peru national team poses for a group photograph before a Copa America Group B soccer match against Brazil on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Brazil's Dani Alves, top, knocks down Peru's Paolo Guerrero during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Brazil's Dani Alves, top, knocks down Peru's Paolo Guerrero during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.                   
Brazil’s goalkeeper Alisson, right, makes a stop in front of Peru's Andy Polo (8) during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Brazil’s goalkeeper Alisson, right, makes a stop in front of Peru's Andy Polo (8) during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.      
Supporters of Peru, left, and Brazil cheer their teams before a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Supporters of Peru, left, and Brazil cheer their teams before a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.            
Peru’s goalkeeper Pedro Gallese dives for the ball during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match against Brazil on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Peru’s goalkeeper Pedro Gallese dives for the ball during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match against Brazil on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.          
Brazil's Filipe Luis (6) and Peru's Andy Polo (8) contend for the ball during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Brazil's Filipe Luis (6) and Peru's Andy Polo (8) contend for the ball during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Brazil's Gil (4) falls onto Peru's Jose Paolo Guerrero (9) during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. At left is Brazil's Renato Augusto.
Brazil's Gil (4) falls onto Peru's Jose Paolo Guerrero (9) during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. At left is Brazil's Renato Augusto.
Peru's Andy Polo (8) and Brazil's Renato Augusto, rear, chase the ball during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Peru's Andy Polo (8) and Brazil's Renato Augusto, rear, chase the ball during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Peru's Christian Cueva, front, moves the ball as Brazil's Lucas Lima, rear, defends during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Peru's Christian Cueva, front, moves the ball as Brazil's Lucas Lima, rear, defends during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.               
Peru's Paolo Guerrero (9) and Brazil's Renato Augusto (18) fight for the ball during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match between Brazil and Peru on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Peru's Paolo Guerrero (9) and Brazil's Renato Augusto (18) fight for the ball during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match between Brazil and Peru on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Peru's Paolo Guerrero (9) and Brazil's Philippe Coutinho (22) go up for the ball during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Peru's Paolo Guerrero (9) and Brazil's Philippe Coutinho (22) go up for the ball during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Brazil's Philippe Coutinho, front, and Peru's Jose Paolo Guerrero contend for the ball during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Brazil's Philippe Coutinho, front, and Peru's Jose Paolo Guerrero contend for the ball during the first half of a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.         
Brazil supporters cheer their team before a Copa America Group B soccer match between Brazil and Peru Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Brazil supporters cheer their team before a Copa America Group B soccer match between Brazil and Peru Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. 
Peru supporters cheer before a Copa America Group B soccer match between Brazil and Peru on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Peru supporters cheer before a Copa America Group B soccer match between Brazil and Peru on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Peru's Raul Ruidiaz, left, celebrates with teammates after his goal lifted Peru to a 1-0 win over Brazil in a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Peru's Raul Ruidiaz, left, celebrates with teammates after his goal lifted Peru to a 1-0 win over Brazil in a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Brazil's Lucas Lima (10) and Gil (4) stand on the pitch after a 1-0 loss to Peru in a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
Brazil's Lucas Lima (10) and Gil (4) stand on the pitch after a 1-0 loss to Peru in a Copa America Group B soccer match on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.