Louis GENOT
France Media Agency
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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, I am for them because I have friends in this team, but it is Brazil who will win the final”, declared 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 at the 35e minute of play, with a series 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.
Peruvian parades
Brazil were overwhelmingly favorites in the semi-final, having won 4-0 in the first phase against an opponent they also beat 3-1 in the Copa América 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 was quick to stand out, with a bright opening for Richarlison, whose center behind found Neymar, who missed his recovery (7e).
Brazil opened the scoring when the tables turned, with some high class action from “Ney”.
Well launched by Richarlison, the Brazilian number 10 mystified three defenders, even offering himself a small bridge to eliminate Callens, before centering back for Paqueta (35e).
Peruvian goalkeeper Gallese had long delayed the deadline, with his saves on long-range strikes from Casemiro (12e, 18e) and two high-class saves in quick succession, against Neymar and Richarlison (19e).
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 (49eAnd Garcia, 60e) to preserve the slim advantage and qualify the five-time world champions for the final.
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