Group A of the Copa América ended in two draws on Tuesday night, whilst Group B finishes tonight. Venezuela were, of course, favoured by the draw*, but very few expected Peru to also qualify ahead of Uruguay and, slightly less shockingly, Bolivia. Since Uruguay have four points and neither the U.S. nor Colombia can top that in Group C, the charrúa are certain to qualify as one of the two ‘best third placed’ teams.
Tonight, Mexico take on Chile in Puerto La Cruz, needing a draw to confirm top spot in the group, and Brazil face Ecuador technically needing a point - if Ecuador win then either they or Chile, or even both, could finish above Brazil on goal difference.
The hosts drew 0-0 with Uruguay in a match which brought new meaning to the word ‘uneventful’, but Peru and Bolivia were involved in a frantic 2-2 draw in which the Bolivians had the better of the play but were undone by an inability to deal with high balls (oh, the irony), allowing Claudio Pizarro to get two headed goals and deny them their own chance of qualification - but for an equaliser with 5 minutes to go, Bolivia would have been in the quarters. As it is, they’re bottom, and facing the long climb back home.
Final standings: Group A
1. Venezuela - P 3 - W 1 - D 2 - L 0 - GS 4 - GC 2 - Pts 5
2. Peru - P 3 - W 1 - D 1 - L 1 - GS 5 - GC 4 - Pts 4
3. Uruguay - P3 - W 1 - D 1 - L 1 - GS 1 - GC 3 - Pts 4
4. Bolivia - P3 - W 0 - D 2 - L 1 - GS 4 - GC 5 - Pts 2
Goals: Peru 2 - 2 Bolivia
Moreno: Peru 0 - 1 Bolivia (24th min)
Pizarro: Peru 1 - 1 Bolivia (33rd min)
Campos: Peru 1 - 2 Bolivia (45th min + 1)
Pizarro: Peru 2 - 2 Bolivia (85th min)
*If anyone from CONMEBOL is reading, I’d like to make it clear that I in no way believe the group stage draw to have been rigged in order to help the host nation progress. Quite definitely not. Who would even consider such a thing?
Filed under: Copa América, Fixtures, Football, Goal videos, International football, Results, Selección
