Neymar scored a goal and set up an injury-time winner for Douglas Costa, helping Brazil open their Copa America campaign with a 2-1 over Peru on Sunday.
Costa found the net from close range after receiving a perfect pass from Neymar two minutes into second-half injury-time, calmly sending a low shot past the Peruvian goalkeeper.
Peru surprised early with a goal by midfielder Christian Cueva less than three minutes into the match after Brazil goalkeeper Jefferson made a mistake trying to clear the ball inside the area after a tough pass from David Luiz. Neymar equalized two minutes later with a firm header from near the penalty spot.
Photo: AFP
The victory gave Brazil the early lead in Group C along with Venezuela, who defeated Colombia 1-0 earlier on Sunday. Brazil next face Colombia tomorrow, while Peru play Venezuela on Thursday.
“The opening match is always difficult,” said Neymar, who scored his 44th goal for Brazil. “Especially in a competition like this one, with the rivalry in South America, but we got the victory, which is the most important thing.”
Brazil have won 11 straight games since coach Dunga replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari after last year’s World Cup at home.
The Copa America is Brazil’s first official competition since they were humiliated in a 7-1 World Cup semi-final loss to Germany. With six players from that squad, Brazil are trying to win the South American tournament for the first time since 2007, when Dunga was in charge of the national team for the first time in his career.
Brazil have won four of the last six Copa Americas, including two of the past three.
Brazil controlled possession during most of the match, but struggled to create many significant scoring opportunities. One of the best chances was a shot by Neymar that struck the crossbar in the 53rd minute, with Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese already beaten.
Cueva opened the scoring after Luiz passed the ball back to Jefferson while under pressure inside the area, and the goalkeeper mishit the ball while trying to clear the box. It went straight to Cueva, who easily found the net from close range.
Neymar was unmarked when he headed in the equalizer from a cross by Barcelona teammate Daniel Alves, who was a late addition to Dunga’s Copa America team.
Neymar then set up the winner with a low pass that crossed the area through several defenders and found Costa in great position to score.
“It was an important goal,” Costa said. “It was a perfect pass from Neymar and I was able to control the ball and get a shot on goal.”
Dunga, having lost defenders Marcelo and Danilo, playmaker Oscar and defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo to injury before the tournament, could not count on Philippe Coutinho because of an injury sustained in practice.
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