Contentious Peru goal knocks Brazil out of Copa

Tuesday, 14 June 2016 00:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Substitute Raul Mexico, Venezuela and Argentina have already qualified from the other two groups with a match to play with either Chile or Panama joining them in the quarter-finals pending the result of their showdown on Tuesday.

Missed opportunity

The loss was a harsh one for Brazil, who knew a draw would have been enough to see them advance and were generally the better team without ever really threatening the Peruvian goal.

Peru upped the tempo after a lacklustre first half and the controversial decider came after 74 minutes when Andy Polo whipped in a low cross that fell just behind the onrushing Ruidiaz inside the six-yard box.

The Universitario player appeared to handle the ball into the net to the immediate anger of the Brazilian players, who surrounded the Uruguayan referee along with several Peruvians before the official opted to give the goal after a long delay.

Elias then missed a golden opportunity to equalise for Brazil in injury time but he failed to connect properly with only the goalkeeper to beat.

The result came just hours after Ecuador hammered a hapless Haiti 4-0 to guarantee their quarter-final berth.

Enner Valencia opened the scoring after 10 minutes and Jaime Ayovi doubled Ecuador’s advantage nine minutes later after a swift counter-attack.

Christian Noboa made it 3-0 with a well-placed shot after 56 minutes before Antonio Valencia tapped home the fourth after another break on 77 minutes.