Copa America 2021: Ecuador holds Brazil to seal quarters berth, Peru pips Venezuela to finish second
The Copa America 2021 has entered its final round of matches in the group stage. The commitments for the North Zone were done and dusted, as a few teams sealed their fate for the quarterfinals. Here, we present the round-up of the two Sunday night matches.
FollowThe group stage of the 2021 Copa America is in its final stage, as the commitments for the North Zone were completed. A few teams sealed their fate for the quarterfinals, while it was a heartbreak for a side. In the same light, we present the round-up of the two matches held on Sunday night.
Ecuador holds Brazil seal its spot
In the opening game of the matchday, Ecuador took on defending champion Brazil at the Estádio Olímpico Pedro Ludovico Teixeira in Goiania. The match was a dead rubber for Brazil, having already sealed its quarters and top spot, as it fielded a non-regular side.
Still, it was in the 37th minute when Éder Militao, following an assist from Éverton, put the host ahead. The half saw only a couple of promising attacks, all from Brazil, as it led at half-time.
The second half saw some relentless from Ecuador that was fighting for the quarters' spot. In the 53rd minute, Ángel Mena levelled it with the assist of Enner Valencia, as a total of three assuring attempts in the half was not enough to decide the result, but adequate to earn Ecuador its quarters berth, finishing fourth.
Stats
Militao's header was the third successive in the tournament for Brazil.
Mena has become the second Ecuador substitute to score in the competition this edition.
Peru edges past Venezuela to finish below Brazil
Peru had already sealed its place in the quarters following Brazil's draw. However, it looked to make it even sweeter when it faced off against Venezuela at the Estádio Nacional de Brasília.
It turned out to be an unexpectedly close contest in the first half that settled goalless. However, Peru stepped up in the following half, dominating with possession, while André Carrillo's 48th-minute strike turned out to be the winner to put in the second place, after Brazil.
Stat: Peru registered 12 attempts against Venezuela that happened to be its most in a game this term.
NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitise, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona
