Copa America 2019 Final: Brazil vs Peru – 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis

#4 Everton dazzles in the final

Everton was brilliant in the final

After the 2-0 win over Argentina in the semi-final, Tite kept faith with the same personnel and named an unchanged line-up against Peru. One of the beneficiaries of that decision was Everton, who despite being perceived as a bit-part player at the start, now had a chance to show off his talent on the greatest of occasions. And the winger didn’t disappoint.

Throughout the game, the Brazilian caused the visitors’ defence problems with his direct running and pace. Not afraid to take on the defenders, his trickery pinned the defence-line back and that enabled the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino to operate in the space thus created.

Moreover, Everton combined his brilliant approach play with an end product and he had a major hand in the 1st and 3rd goals Brazil scored.

The opener came about when the Brazilian escaped the attention of Luis Advincula and then coolly slotted Jesus’ cross past Pedro Gallese. For the 3rd goal, the winger collected the ball on the left side and then drove through the heart of Peru’s midfield. He proved to be too hot to handle for the away side and they eventually adopted unfair means to bring him to a halt. The resulting penalty was dispatched by Richarlison and that eased plenty of Brazilian nerves, especially considering they’d been reduced to ten men.

Throughout the tournament, there have been several players who have stood up to be bankable for Brazil, whether it be the mercurial Coutinho, the old war-horse Dani Alves or the indefatigable Thiago Silva. Yet, when the final came calling, arguably the most unheralded player of them all ended up having the biggest say.

And that, above all, would be the most pleasing takeaway for the hosts from the 2019 Copa America.