Neymar scored a goal and set up the injury-time winner for Douglas Costa, helping Brazil open its 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 ‘keeper 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. The victory gave Brazil the early lead in Group C along with Venezuela, which defeated Colombia 1-0 earlier Sunday in Rancagua. Brazil next faces Colombia on Wednesday, while Peru plays 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 has 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 it was humiliated in a 7-1 World Cup semifinal loss to Germany.
With six players from that squad, Brazil is 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 controlled possession during most of the match at German Becker Stadium, 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, 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 misplayed the ball while trying to clear the box. It went straight to Cueva, who easily found the net from close range.
Neymar was free from any defenders when he headed in the equalizer off a right-side 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.” Costa, who entered the match in the second half, had already missed on another great chance on a breakaway started by Neymar in the 75th.
“We had a chance to at least get a draw, but it didn’t happen,” Peru midfielder Jefferson Farfan said. “We played a good match. We will stay focused, knowing that we still have a chance to advance to the next round.”
Dunga could not count on liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho because of a muscle injury sustained in practice. Brazil had already lost several players because of injuries ahead of the tournament, including left back Marcelo, playmaker Oscar, defensive midfielder luiz Gustavo and right back Danilo.
VENEZUElA BEAT COlOMBIA 1-0
Rancagua: Colombia got off to a disappointing start in the Copa America on Sunday, losing 1-0 to Venezuela in the first game for each team in the South American championship.
Striker Salomon Rondon, Venezuela’s biggest threat in the match, headed the winner past ‘keeper David Ospina and into the far corner in the 60th minute. It was Venezuela’s first victory over Colombia in the Copa America and the biggest upset of the tournament so far providing a major step for a country that is better known for producing baseball players than footballers.
“We knew we were facing one of the favorites, and that we had to be disciplined and not let them think,” Venezuela coach Noel Sanvicente said. “This game should put a smile on every Venezuelan.”
Colombia, a quarterfinalist in last year’s World Cup and one of the tournament’s most exciting teams, was poor throughout the Group C match, despite fielding the likes of Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez, and its top goal scorer and captain Radamel Falcao.
“We couldn’t play the way we usually play,” Colombia coach Jose Pekerman said. “We had difficulty finding the correct passes and Venezuela defended well.”
Venezuela frustrated Colombia’s attacks before they could get going, put up a strong, physical defense, and was always threatening on the counterattack. Venezuela’s Ronald Vargas had the best early chance, with a point-blank shot in the 27th minute that was stopped by Arsenal ‘keeper, Ospina. Alejandro Guerra also came close in the 42nd with a shot that sailed just wide.
Pekerman’s team attacked early in the second half and, just as it was building momentum, Rondon broke the deadlock with the goal — 10 minutes after he had hit the crossbar with another header. Venezuela keeper Alain Baroja came up with his two key saves of the match in the 79th minute, when he denied James and Edwin Cardona as Colombia pressed for an equalizer.
“Venezuela closed the spaces really well and we couldn’t link our players,” Ospina said. “We lost the game but we still have two more to turn this around.”
Group C action continues when Brazil plays Colombia on Wednesday and Peru faces Venezuela on Thursday.