BRAZIL won their ninth Copa America crown by beating Peru 3-1 in a drama-filled final on Sunday.
Everton Soares, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison cancelled out Paolo Guerrero’s VAR-assisted penalty as a nervy Maracana watched the hosts see the game out with ten men.
With Brazil seeking their first Copa crown in 12 years, and their fifth when hosting the competition, it was Peru who started at the highest tempo.
The favourites struggled to break out and yet managed to break the deadlock via a combination of trickery and slack defending.
Manchester City forward Jesus took the ball down the right flank and evaded his markers with some silky stepovers, crossing for Everton.
The Gremio man arrived into wide open space at the right time to notch the opener.
As Brazil began to turn on the style, Roberto Firmino’s running stood him out as a man possessed but he sent a good headed chance over on 38 minutes.
The Rio de Janeiro crowd soon got a shock when Thiago Silva was penalised for handball, a penalty that took VAR officials two minutes to award.
Some felt the call was soft but Peru captain Guerrero didn’t care as he calmly buried the equaliser in stoppage time.
And yet there was still time for Brazil to retake the lead before the break.
Firmino’s excellent tracking back won possession for Arthur to slide in Jesus, who finished to send the Maracana wild.
Brazil continued to turn on the style but couldn’t extend their lead – and were handed a huge blow with 20 minutes left on the clock.
An overenthusiastic challenge for a header from Jesus saw him sent off for a second bookable offence.
The striker left the pitch apoplectic, punching the dugout and kicking bottles. He was later seen in tears as he watched his side cling on.
But Brazil’s worries were alleviated with three minutes left, Everton’s mazy run ending with a shoulder barge challenge that won his side a penalty.
Richarlison stepped up and secured victory with an accurate spot-kick following a stuttering run-up.
