Just when no one thought Peru could stand a chance to battle for the Copa América title, the Peruvian crew gave their best performance of the competition and knocked out the defending champions.
Ricardo Gareca's crew scored a couple of first half goals before a furious reaction by the back-to-back champions. When Chile seemed to be getting closer to scoring a goal, a massive display by Peru concluded with a last-gasp goal by Paolo Guerrero.
With this result, Peru will return to a Copa América final after 44 years. Under Ricardo Gareca, Peru's football has made its way to the spotlight after years in the shadows, which include a third-place finish in the 2015 Copa América and the team's return to the FIFA World Cup after a 36-year absence.
Here are a few facts to keep track of:
3 - Peru's 3-0 win over Chile was their joint-biggest margin of victory in a competitive game against them (a 3-0 win in the 1949 Copa America, also in Brazil). Dance.#CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/yTJBxqjdEP
— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) July 4, 2019
Peru defeats Chile 3-0 to advance to its first Copa América final since 1975. Peru has now posted 4 straight shutouts in the Copa América knockout stage.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 4, 2019
Brazil and Peru will meet in the final. Brazil defeated Peru 5-0 in the third match of group play earlier in the tournament. pic.twitter.com/fDuJmNQeab
Despite winning the tournament's title twice, this will only be Peru's second appearance in a Copa America final. Their first title came when the competition had a league format, and their last appearance in the final saw them beat Colombia to win their second trophy, back in 1975.
