Copa America 2021: Brazil beat Peru 1-0 thanks to Lucas Paqueta’s first-half goal
Peru #Peru
Lucas Paqueta scored the only goal of the game in Brazil’s semi-final and quarter-final victories
Lucas Paqueta sent defending champions Brazil into the Copa America final with a first-half winner against Peru at the Nilton Santos Stadium.
Neymar beat three defenders on the left before crossing for Paqueta to guide home the semi-final’s only goal.
Brazil, who have won the Copa America every time they hosted the tournament, face either Argentina or Colombia in Saturday’s final at the Maracana.
“I want Argentina, I am cheering them on,” Neymar said.
“I have friends there and in the final Brazil will win.”
Paris St-Germain forward Neymar was a bright spark for Brazil as they again edged Peru, the side their beat in the 2019 final to lift the trophy for the ninth time.
Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made a fine double save from point-blank range to deny Neymar and Richarlison early on.
Neymar’s trickery and ability to find Paqueta with a finely placed pass when surrounded by Peruvian defenders on the left proved decisive in the 34th minute.
Peru pressed for a second-half equaliser, with Gianluca Lapadula testing Ederson with a fierce effort, but they failed to upstage the hosts.
Line-ups Brazil
Formation 4-2-3-1
23Ederson
2Danilo4Marquinhos3Thiago Silva16Lodi dos Santos
5Casemiro8Fred
19Sousa Soares17Tolentino Coelho de Lima10Neymar
7Richarlison
Substitutes
Peru
Formation 5-4-1
1Gallese
3Corzo4Santamaría15Ramos22Callens6Trauco
8Peña13Tapia19Yotún10Cueva
9Lapadula
Substitutes
Live Text
Match ends, Brazil 1, Peru 0.
90’+6′
Second Half ends, Brazil 1, Peru 0.
90’+5′
Thiago Silva (Brazil) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+5′
Foul by Sergio Peña (Peru).
90’+4′
Foul by Vinícius Júnior (Brazil).
90’+4′
Jhilmar Lora (Peru) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+3′
Eder Militão (Brazil) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+3′
Foul by Gianluca Lapadula (Peru).
90’+2′
Substitution, Brazil. Douglas Luiz replaces Lucas Paquetá because of an injury.
90′
Marcos López (Peru) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
89′
Substitution, Peru. Martín Távara replaces Renato Tapia.
89′
Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
88′
Foul by Vinícius Júnior (Brazil).
88′
Jhilmar Lora (Peru) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
85′
Attempt blocked. Neymar (Brazil) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
85′
Substitution, Brazil. Eder Militão replaces Renan Lodi.
85′
Substitution, Brazil. Vinícius Júnior replaces Richarlison.
85′
Substitution, Brazil. Fabinho replaces Fred.
84′
Neymar (Brazil) wins a free kick on the left wing.
84′
Foul by Alexander Callens (Peru).