Copa America 2011: Chile Upsets Peru, Both Through to the Quarters

Josepmir Ballón and Chile's Gonzalo Fierro fights for the ball

In what seems to be one of the most enticing clashes of the Copa America Group stage matches, Peru unluckily suffered a defeat against Chile, with an own goal in the dying minutes of the game, which otherwise seems to have ended in a draw. A 92^nd minute corner-kick from Chile saw Aldo Corzo failing to deal with the ball and rather deflecting into his own net which let Chile to top Group C with 7 points.

With both the teams assured of their Quarter Finals berth even before the match, it prompted both the coaches to rest their key players. Chile made six changes to their line-up while Peru made nine changes.

Claudio Borghi’s side once again started the match on a positive note and asserted their dominance from the very first minute. Jean Beausejour produces a fantastic run to send in a teasing cross which Esteban Parades failed to convert. Minutes later Humberto Suazo followed it up with a shot which whizzed past the Peruvian goal post.

Peru however were not to be bogged down. They were fast in the counter attacked with Aldo Corzo often making a fine run down the right wing and sending in teasing crosses. Though they manage to break the Chilean with their pace they lack the grit to punish their offensive opponents.

Defending with grit and determination, Peru made it hard for the Chileans though the later continued to dominate the proceedings till the half time whistle. The second half also began in a similar fashion, with Chile coming out flying. A precise cross by Luis Jimenez saw Parades heading the ball into the side net as another chance went off.

At the stroke of the hour, Chile’s Alexis Sanchez came off the bench to strengthen his side but the match from then on turned out brutal with Peru’s Giancarlo Carmona and Chile’s Beausejour receiving their marching orders following a heated arguments.

After settling down from those manic moments, William Chiroque had a golden opportunity to steal a surprise opening goal for Peru. However his calmness deserted him at the defining moment as he cracked the ball just wide of Pinto’s goal.

Sanchez also began to get into the scheme of things with his well struck free kick just missing the bar by inches followed a calculated cross which Peru’s Salomon Libman was just able to claim. With the stipulated 90 minutes over and when it appears that the match would be settled in a draw, Aldo Carzo handed the Chileans the fortunate goal.

However albeit the loss Peru also made it to the Quarter Finals but who they will face will be known only after tonight’s Group B matches.