Jesus takes centre stage as Brazil win Copa America
Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil players celebrate winning the Copa America with the trophy REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Brazil's Gabriel Jesus made one goal, scored another and was sent off in the second half as they beat Peru 3-1 on Sunday to win the Copa America for the ninth time in a pulsating contest at the Maracana stadium.
The hosts took the lead after 15 minutes thanks to some brilliant skill from Jesus on the wing. The Manchester City forward bamboozled two defenders and crossed for the unmarked Everton to fire home from close range.
Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil fans celebrate winning the Copa America REUTERS/Sergio Moraes
“In the last game I was quiet and I was very disappointed with myself,” said Man of the Match Everton. “I got it in my head that I had to give everything, independent of scoring. I had to sweat blood for my team mates. Our team deserves congratulations for a great game.”
Peru, who last won the tournament in 1975, got an equaliser a minute before halftime when Paolo Guerrero scored from the penalty spot after Thiago Silva handled the ball.
The goal was the first Brazil had conceded in six games at the Copa America but it did not shake their confidence and they retook the lead moments later after a well-worked move from midfield.
Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil players celebrate winning the Copa America with the trophy REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Roberto Firmino showed some nice skill on the right touchline before giving the ball to Arthur. The midfielder strode forward and fed Jesus, who coolly slotted the ball past a helpless Pedro Gallese.
Peru pushed forward in the second half and were thrown a lifeline with 20 minutes remaining when Jesus was sent off.
He had been felled by Carlos Zambrano a few minutes earlier and when Jesus dealt out his revenge he was immediately shown a second yellow to follow a first half caution for a bad tackle.
Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil players celebrate after the match REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez
"I want to apologise," said Jesus. "I could have avoided it and I also need to grow up a lot."
But Brazil, playing in front of a 70,000 crowd in Rio de Janeiro, had the final say when substitute Richarlison made it 3-1 with a penalty in the final minute.
It was Brazil's first major title since they won the Copa America in 2007 and the first for coach Tite, who took charge three years ago.
Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil players celebrate after the match REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez
They also did it without Neymar, who was injured on the eve of the tournament.
Peru coach Ricardo Gareca recognised Brazil were the superior side but said his team, who played at their first World Cup in 36 years in 2018, were competitive throughout.
"It was fair that Brazil won," he said. "We had our momentum but the second goal...
Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's Gabriel Jesus and Casemiro celebrate winning the Copa America after the match REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes
"They took advantage of their opportunities.
"We came here hoping to win but they were very effective," he added. "But looking beyond the pain of the defeat, I think we are on the right path, that is the feeling that I have."
Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro and the players celebrate winning the Copa America with the trophy REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Ken Ferris/Peter Rutherford)
Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's Marquinhos celebrates winning the Copa America with Fernandinho and team mates REUTERS/Pilar OlivaresSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's Richarlison celebrates scoring their third goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Sergio MoraesSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's Dani Alves celebrates after the match REUTERS/Luisa GonzalezSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's Richarlison celebrates scoring their third goal from the penalty spot with team mates REUTERS/Sergio MoraesSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's Dani Alves and team mates celebrate winning the Copa America REUTERS/Pilar OlivaresSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil players celebrate winning the Copa America after the match REUTERS/Ricardo MoraesSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's Roberto Firmino and teammates celebrate winning the Copa America after the match REUTERS/Ricardo MoraesSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's Gabriel Jesus leaves the pitch after being sent off by referee Roberto Tobar REUTERS/Ricardo MoraesSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's Dani Alves in action with Peru's Christian Cueva REUTERS/Pilar OlivaresSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's Richarlison in action with Peru's Luis Advincula REUTERS/Henry RomeroSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's Richarlison in action with Peru's Luis Advincula REUTERS/Sergio MoraesSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's Everton is fouled by Peru's Carlos Zambrano REUTERS/Sergio MoraesSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Peru's Carlos Zambrano is shown a yellow card by referee Roberto Tobar REUTERS/Sergio MoraesSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Peru's Edison Flores reacts during the match REUTERS/Luisa GonzalezSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil players celebrate winning the Copa America after the match REUTERS/Ricardo MoraesSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Peru's Carlos Zambrano concedes a penalty for a foul on Brazil's Everton REUTERS/Pilar OlivaresSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's Everton goes down under the challenge of Peru's Carlos Zambrano and Brazil are subsequently awarded a penalty by referee Roberto Tobar REUTERS/Ricardo MoraesSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's Casemiro in action with Peru's Andre Carrillo REUTERS/Sergio MoraesSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Final - Brazil v Peru - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 7, 2019 Brazil's Arthur in action with Peru's Christian Cueva REUTERS/Luisa GonzalezSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Fans watch Brazil v Peru - Lima, Peru - July 7, 2019 Peruvian fans celebrate during the match REUTERS/Guadalupe Pardo
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