Brazil secure comprehensive win against Peru to maintain their perfect start

Despite making a number of changes Brazil were able to comfortably beat debuting Peru at the Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro 4-0 in their second game of the tournament.

Thiago Silva, Fabinho, Everton Cebolinha and Gabriel Barbosa were new additions to Tite’s starting side but it was Alex Sandro, Neymar, Éverton Ribeiro and second half substitute Richarlison who scored the goals to give Brazil 6 points from 2 games in Group B. Colombia are second with 4, Venezuela have 1 while Ecuador and Peru have zero with a game in hand.

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With so many changes from the opening day win against Venezuela, Brazil found it difficult to create openings with Peru defending cautiously.

Any potential nerves were settled on 11 minutes as Gabriel Jesus combined with Everton Cebolinha to set up Alex Sandro for the opening goal.

The first half was lifted with dangerous long-range shot from Fabinho and an important save from Ederson to deny Peru’s Tapia. Yotún but Danilo was able to comfortably block the effort and clear. Alex Sandro then had a chance for Brazil but sent it over the bar.

Brazil regained control of the game in the second half and Neymar all but settled the tie with a moment of individual magic. He received the ball with his back to goal, turned and fired a shot into the corner beyond Gallese.

This was Neymar’s second at the CONMEBOL Copa America and 68th goal for Brazi. He is now only 9 goals away from the record of the great Pelé.

Brazil would add 2 more just before the final whistle. The third came from a slick passing move then ended with Éverton Ribeiro converting a low Richarlison cross from close range. The final goal saw Richarlison slide the ball into the roof of the net following a goal line scramble.

The third round of games in Group B takes place this Sunday with Venezuela facing Ecuador at 6 pm (local time) at the Nilton Santos Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, before Colombia meet Peru at 9 pm at the Estádio Olí­mpico in Goiânia. Brazil have a rest day but will resume against Colombia on Wednesday.

NUMBERS FROM THE GAME

• Brazil have won their last 9 competitive games. They did not concede a goal in 8 of those and they have had a clean sheet in their last 6 games.

• Brasil have won their first two CONMEBOL Copa América games for the first time since 2004.

• Brazil won their last 4 games at the CONMEBOL Copa América, 2 in 2021 and 2 in 2019. This is the best run of consecutive victories for Brazil this century.

• In 9 of the 57 games Brazil have played with Tite in charge they have scored 4 or more goals. They have scored 4 or more against Peru on 3 seperate occasions; 5-0 win at the 2019 Copa América, a 4-2 win in the qualifiers and today’s 4-0 victory.

• Tite is the manger who has the second most consecutive games in the CONMEBOL Copa América without defeat; he currently has 7 which puts him level with Sebastião Lazaroni. Mário Zagallo is the only boss who has more with 12 consecutive unbeaten games and no defeates (10 wins, 2 draws).

Data: OPTA