On Friday, Copa America\u2019s defending champions Brazil advanced to the semifinals with a 1-0 victory over Chile despite playing with ten men. Only seconds before Gabriel Jesus was sent off early in the second half, substitute Lucas Paquet\u00e1 scored the only goal of the game.<\/p>\n
Paquet\u00e1\u2019s winner in the 46th minute into the left corner of Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, gave Brazil fans hope that the Selecao would ease into the next round. After hitting Chile\u2019s Eugenio Mena with a flying kick, Jesus was sent off just two minutes later.<\/p>\n
After the game, Neymar and Brazil coach Tite said Jesus didn\u2019t see Mena and accidentally kicked him in the midfield as he tried to reclaim possession. Brazil defended so well that Chile had less shots on goal after Jesus was sent off than when he was on the field; two against three.<\/p>\n
Thiago Silva of Brazil commented, \u201cDefending well is a characteristic of ours.\u201d \u201cRegardless of what we accomplished today, we only let up a couple of goals. We produced clear opportunities all the way down to ten. I am quite pleased of this team for its tenacity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paquet\u00e1 entered the game after a tense first half in which neither team had many chances. Roberto Firmino was replaced by him. With Neymar\u2019s dribbles and swift counter-attacks, Brazil continued to challenge Chile. But Chile was considerably closer to equalising; an Eduardo Vargas goal was disallowed for offside, and in the 68th minute, English-Chilean Ben Brereton hit the crossbar with a header.<\/p>\n
After the game, Neymar stated that playing with ten men was a fantastic test for Brazil. He didn\u2019t come close to scoring as he had in other Copa America games, but he was crucial in keeping possession.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to get some tests in every match to make us stronger, to prove we can do it in any situation,\u201d Neymar remarked. \u201cWe had no choice except to stick together. It was quite difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arturo Vidal of Chile stated that his team will exit the competition with pride. \u201cWe were defeated by a strong club, a favourite playing at home,\u201d he remarked. \u201cWith some more time to develop, this team will regain its intensity if we play as we did today. We\u2019re hoping to make the World Cup. It will be difficult, but we can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peru advanced to the semifinals of Copa America after defeating Paraguay 4-3 on penalties following a 3-3 stalemate in regulation time. The 2019 Copa America final featured Brazil and Peru, with the hosts prevailing 3-1. In the encounter at Rio\u2019s Maracana Stadium, Jesus was also sent off. The game on Monday will take place at the same Nilton Santos Stadium.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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