Highlights: Paolo Guerrero hat-trick helps Peru beat Bolivia 3-1 in Copa America quarter-final

Paolo Guerrero’s hat-trick helped Peru beat Bolivia 3-1 in the Copa America 2015 quarter-final

Peru reached the Copa America 2015 semi-finals with a resounding 3-1 victory over Bolivia at the German Becker Stadium in Temuco, Chile on Thursday night. Corinthians striker Paolo Guerrero grabbed a hat-trick with goals in both halves to help Peru set up a semi-final clash with hosts Chile.

The 31-year-old striker scored his first goal in the 20th minute when a cross from Juan Manuel Vargas from the left flank was headed past goalkeeper Romel Quinonez. Guerrero was at the edge of the six-yard box as the ball floated in perfectly for him to head home.

He needed only three minutes to double the lead when a Peru counter-attack from a Bolivia set piece saw Christian Cueva play a one-two while sprinting before he lobbed the ball over the defence for Guerrero to latch on to and score past the goalkeeper. Both teams had more chances to score in the first half with Bolivia coming close with a header from a set-piece saved by Pedro Gallese while a Peru free kick hit the crossbar.

The score read 2-0 at half time, but Guerrero completed his hat-trick in the second half when he nicked the ball from Bolivia’s defence. Danny Bejarano’s misplaced pass found Guerrero who ran with the ball all the way into the box before side-footing it past the keeper to score his third to put the match out of reach for Bolivia.

Bolivia got a consolation goal when Luis Advincula fouled Damian Lizio in the box and former Wigan Athletic forward Martins Moreno stepped up to score from the penalty spot. Moreno’s shot went right down the centre but it was too late for his team to mount a comeback.

Peru will play Chile in the semi-final on Monday in Santiago.