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Copa America PHOTOS: Neymar stars for Brazil; Venezuela stun Colombia

June 15, 2015 10:38 IST

Brazil's Douglas (right) celebrates with teammates Neymar (10) and Elias after scoring against Peru during their first round Copa America match at Estadio Municipal Bicentenario German Becker in Temuco, Chile on Sunday

Brazil's Douglas (right) celebrates with teammates Neymar (10) and Elias after scoring against Peru during their first round Copa America match at Estadio Municipal Bicentenario German Becker in Temuco, Chile on Sunday. Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters

An injury time goal from Douglas Costa gave Brazil a barely deserved 2-1 win over a plucky Peru side in the Copa America on Sunday.

Substitute Costa slipped the ball past the keeper from close range in the 48th minute of the second half to break the deadlock and extend Brazil's winning run to 11 matches.

"I managed to control the ball from a perfect pass from Neymar and I scored," Costa said in a pitchside interview.

Brazil have kept a perfect record under Dunga, who took over for a second stint as coach last year following the disastrous 7-1 loss to Germany in the semi-finals of their home World Cup.

Brazil have conceded just three goals under Dunga but looked vulnerable during a frantic opening few minutes against Peru, who got off to a dream start with an unexpected opener to Christian Cueva after just three minutes.

David Luiz failed to clear a long ball and goalkeeper Jefferson passed the ball straight to Cueva who hammered it home from 10 yards out.

Brazil's Willian (left) and Neymar argue with referee Roberto Garcia Orozco during their match against Peru

Brazil's Willian (left) and Neymar argue with referee Roberto Garcia Orozco during their match against Peru. Photograph: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters

However, Peru's lead lasted just two minutes. Dani Alves stroked a lovely cross into the box where an unmarked Neymar headed home his 44th international goal in 64 matches.

The Barcelona striker was the stand-out performer of the match. He had a shot saved off the line in the 13th minute and saw a long range strike crash off the underside of the bar eight minutes into the second half.

He was also booked moments before half-time for wiping away the referee's spray before taking a free kick.

"I just want to help my team with goals and passes," he said afterwards.

"The win is what is important."

The results leaves Brazil joint top of Group C with three points, alongside Venezuela, who beat Colombia 1-0 earlier on Sunday. Brazil play Colombia on Wednesday, while Peru play Venezuela the following day.

“It was incredible,” Peru's Jefferson Farfan said of the late winner.

“I think we did very well, we knew that we were facing a great time like Brazil and we had a chance to at least get a draw but it never happened. Now we need to think of the next match.”           

Venezuela make Copa history by beating Colombia 1-0

Venezuela players mob teammate Jose Rondon (obscured) as they celebrate his goal against Colombia during their first round Copa America match at Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua, Chile on Sunday

Venezuela players mob teammate Jose Rondon (obscured) as they celebrate his goal against Colombia during their first round Copa America match at Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua, Chile on Sunday. Photograph: Henry Romero/Reuters

Venezuela beat Colombia 1-0 at the Copa America on Sunday, the biggest upset of the tournament so far and their first victory over their South American neighbours in the history ofthe competition.

Striker Jose Salomon Rondon scored the only goal of the Group C match in the 60th minute in the central Chilean city of Rancagua.

Midfielder Rafael Ocosta swung in a deep cross from the right, Alejandro Guerra headed it back across goal and Rondon buried a firm header into the bottom lefthand corner of the Colombian net.

Colombia, tipped as outsiders for the title, poured forward in search of an equaliser and James Rodriguez, Edwin Cardona and Juan Cuadrado all came close but Venezuelan keeper Alain Baroja kept them at bay.

Colombia had beaten Venezuela in four of their five previousencounters at the Copa America. The other clash, back in 1979, ended in a goalless draw.

Colombia now need a result against Brazil in their next match on Wednesday to avoid almost certain elimination in the first round, while Venezuela take on Peru on Thursday in their next outing.

Colombia's Juan Zuniga and Venezuela's Cesar Gonzalez (11) are involved in an aerial challenge

Colombia's Juan Zuniga and Venezuela's Cesar Gonzalez (11) are involved in an aerial challenge. Photograph: Carlos Garcia Rawlins

"We played as a complete team," Rondon told reporters.

"When we got the opportunities to get forward and attack we took them."

Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina acknowledged his side now faced an uphill task to reach the second round of the competition.

"Venezuela closed down the spaces really well. We need to regroup and think about the next game," he said.

Both sides played their part in an entertaining encounter.

Ronald Vargas almost gave the Venezuelans the lead in the 27th minute, forcing Ospina to make a fine reflex save. Guerra then forced another save from Ospina with an acrobatic effort from the edge of the box.

The Colombians enjoyed 64 percent of possession over the 90 minutes but struggled to break down a stubborn Venezuelan defence marshalled by the towering Oswaldo Vizcarrondo.

To make matters worse for the Colombians, their Real Madrid playmaker Rodriguez appeared to injure his right shoulders in the closing stages of the match, and will need treatment before Wednesday’s clash with Brazil in Santiago.

Source: REUTERS
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