Brazil hammer Peru to reach Copa America quarter-finals

SÃO PAULO (AP):

The Copa América has finally started for host Brazil.After two lackluster performances that drew jeers from the home fans and added pressure on coach Tite, Brazil got it going yesterday in thrashing Peru 5-0 to make the quarterfinals.

Casemiro, Roberto Firmino and Everton scored in the first half and Dani Alves and Willian in the second to keep the hosts on track for their first Copa title since 2007.

“The team played a great match,” Tite said. “We created the chances, and this time we were precise in front of the goal. We were more efficient.”The rout could have been bigger had forward Gabriel Jesus not missed a penalty kick in stoppage time.

Brazil finished first in Group A with seven points, two more than second-place Venezuela, which also advanced after beating Bolivia 3-1 in Belo Horizonte.Peru stayed with four points but can still advance as one of the two best third-place finishers in all three groups.

With a changed team led by youngster Everton, Brazil finally played well after opening with disappointing performances against Bolivia and Venezuela.Everton played in the same position as Neymar, who was dropped from Brazil’s squad just before the tournament because of an ankle injury.

Constant threat

Everton was a constant threat, using his quickness and nifty dribbles to open up the Peruvian defense and ignite the crowd of more than 45,000 at Arena Corinthians.With Tite’s changes working to perfection, it didn’t take long before Brazil opened the scoring.

After a corner kick taken by Philippe Coutinho in the 12th minute, Thiago Silva deflected the ball toward the goalmouth and it hit the far post before Casemiro came in to find the net with a header from close range.

Brazil added to the lead seven minutes later after a blunder by Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, whose pass from the area was blocked by Firmino in front of the goal. The ball ricocheted off the striker, going over Gallese and hitting the post. Firmino was by himself to pick up the rebound, controlling the ball with his chest before clearing Gallese and finding the open net.

The third goal came in the 32nd with Everton, who cleared two defenders by cutting back toward the middle before firing a low shot by the near post. He also scored in the opening 3-0 win over Bolivia after coming off the bench.

Alves got his goal early in the second half from inside the area after a pass by Firmino, and Willian closed the scoring with a shot from outside the box. A few minutes later, Gabriel Jesus had his shot from the penalty spot saved by Gallese.FIFA president Gianni Infantino was among those in attendance.