Peru secured the top spot in Group B, leaving Ecuador to play the United States in Thursday evening’s quarterfinal. Noboa scored in the 57th minute, while Valencia brothers combined in the 78th and Antonio set the final result on the Enner’s second assist of the game.
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Philippe Coutinho scored his first worldwide hat trick, Renato Augusto had two goals and Brazil routed Haiti 7-1 Wednesday night in the Copa America in Orlando, Fla.
With the loss, Brazil has failed to make the knockout round of the tournament for the first time since 1987.
Referee Andres Cunha immediately gave the goal, but then consulted his linesman amid outrage from Brazil players and staff, only to then stick by his decision despite replays – which he could not consult – clearly showing the use of the hand.
Brazil coach Dunga went with a 4-2-3-1 alignment, keeping things under control but leaving 19-year-old forward Gabriel isolated. Some wild and ambitious moments in the first four minutes culminated in Cueva’s opening goal, and it was all Peru from there until Valencia found his stride. In football, you have to have patience when you start your work and you have to persist and you have to have confidence in what you’re doing.
Peru won Group B after beating Brazil in controversial fashion at Gillette Stadium in MA on Sunday.
Brazil (1-1-1) needed only a tie against Peru to qualify for the next round.
Ecuador enters the matchup with with only two points but can put itself into the second round with a strong win over Haiti.
With a Copa America win no longer a possibility, Dunga and Brazil will turn their attention to the Olympics tournament, which will be held in Rio and will see Neymar take the field for the Selecao after skipping the Copa. Second half continued in the same rhythm as the first, Brazil tried something, but they lacked initiative and quality.
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Dunga’s confidence comes from apparently knowing that the Brazilian Federation remains supportive and he readily concedes that pressure came with the territory when he assumed the position. “We Brazilians don’t have patience. We want immediate solutions but immediate solutions come with continuity”.
