Brazil thrash Peru

The last time Brazil met Peru in Copa America, it was the final at Maracana, where they triumphed and after two years these two teams met again at the Estadio Nilton Santos. Guess what, Peru were blown away by a dazzling Brazilian display.

  Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Venezuela on opening day extended the Selecao’s winning run to eight matches in all competitions, with a clean sheet in each of their last five games.

It was never going to be an easy evening for Peru, who were playing in their first match in Copa America, as the odd-numbered groups mean one team sits out each matchday.

Ricardo Gareca’s team come into the fixture on the back of a poor run of form, losing four of their last five - though they did manage a 2-1 win over Ecuador their last time out.

The last time Brazil and Peru squared off, a Neymar hat-trick condemned La Blanquirroja to a 4-2 defeat in what was a thrilling game for the neutral.

Brazil made six changes from their convincing 3-0 victory over Venezuela on Sunday as Tite looks to freshen things up for match two.

A swap in goal saw Ederson replace Alisson, while Silva and Alex Sandro replace Marquinhos and Lodi in defence. Casemiro and Paqueta are replaced by Casemiro and Everton in midfield, while Gabi’s goal last time out earns him the start over Richarlison.

Gareca went with an experienced line-up to start their Copa America campaign, with 521 caps split between the starting XI. Gallese keeps his place in goal, while Corzo, Ramos, Abram and Marcos Lopez start in defence. Tapia and Yotun are familiar faces in the Peru midfield, with a trio ahead of them comprised of Cueva, Pena and Carrillo.

The striker chosen to spearhead the attack is Benevento’s Lapadula, in what will be his seventh appearance.

Brazil started the match slowly but within twelve minutes they went ahead when Gabriel Jesus made a clever pass back to Alex Sandro and he smashed his shot past Peru keeper Pedro Gallese.

Brazil had the better of the chances, but Peru actually had more of the possession with neither team scoring for the remainder of the half as Brazil took a 1-0 lead into the break.

After the break, Brazil were at their pristine best – they were invincible.

Tite made changes by bringing Richarlison and Everton Ribeiro on for Gabriel Barbosa and Everton, respectively.

Neymar, who was largely anonymous in the opening 60 minutes, looked to have won a penalty just after the hour mark, but after a VAR check the referee rightly overturned the decision.

 However, minutes later, Neymar received a pass from Fred 20 yards from goal and turned to face Ramos, before working some room to take a shot - sending his low-driven effort into the far corner.

A vintage Brazil passing sequence led to Brazil's third, with Everton Ribeiro slotting home from close range from a perfectly weighted Richarlison cross to put the three points in the bag.

To add further gloss to the scoreline, Richarlison scored one more for Brazil, shooting past Gallese while lying on the ground after the Peru keeper had saved his first effort.

Brazil, who lead their group with six points, play second-placed Colombia next on June 23 and finish out their campaign against Ecuador four days later with four of the five teams in each group advancing to the knockout rounds.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on Brazil thrash Peru

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Faisal Caesar