Brazil qualified for the Copa America final by winning against Peru (1-0) on Monday thanks to a goal from Lyonnais Lucas Paqueta after a small number from Neymar in the opposing area. The PSG star is waiting for Argentina.
Brilliant in the first period, rough after the break, Brazil qualified for the Copa America final by defeating Peru (1-0) on Monday, thanks to a goal from Lyonnais Paqueta after a Neymar festival. La Seleçao suffered at the end, but the main thing is done: the host country will be there Saturday night at the Maracana, to try to win its tenth title in the tournament.
And “Ney” will be able to find his former friend of Barça Lionel Messi for a Brazil-Argentina dream poster, if the Albiceleste manages to eliminate Colombia on Tuesday evening, in Brasilia. The two stars are still chasing a major title in the selection: injured in the ankle, Neymar had not taken part in the conquest of the ninth Brazilian title during the last edition, at the Maracana.
“I want to face Argentina”, warns Neymar
“I want (to face) Argentina, I am for them because I have friends in this team, but it is Brazil who will win the final,” said the Parisian striker, all smiles, to the ‘outcome of the meeting. On Monday, at the Nilton Santos stadium in Rio, the number 10 splashed the game of his class in the 35th minute of play, with a string of dribbles in the middle of three players to serve Paqueta.
The young Olympique Lyonnais midfielder scored his second goal in the competition, his fifth in 20 international matches, but limped out in stoppage time. Brazil were widely favorites in this semi-final, after their 4 victory -0 in the first phase against an opponent he also beat 3-1 in the Copa America final two years ago.
In the absence of Gabriel Jesus, suspended, Tite aligned Everton and Paqueta, substitutes in the quarter-final against Chile (1-0). The Lyonnais did not take long to stand out, with a bright opening for Richarlison, whose center behind found Neymar, who missed his recovery (7th). Brazil opened the scoring when the tables turned, with high class action from “Ney”.
Neymar: three defenders eliminated, a small bridge, an assist
Well launched by Richarlison, the Brazilian number 10 mystified three defenders, even offering a small bridge to eliminate Callens, before centering back for Paqueta (35th). The Peruvian goalkeeper Gallese had long delayed the deadline, with his saves on long strikes from Casemiro (12th, 18th) and two high class saves in quick succession, against Neymar and Richarlison (19th).
Author of their most successful half since the tournament, with no less than six shots on target, Brazil deserved better than this narrow score at the break. But Peru was much more to its advantage in the second half, facing a Seleçao that had become harmless. Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson had to pull out all the stops against Lapadula (49th, and Garcia, 60th) to preserve the slim advantage and qualify the five-time world champions for the final.
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