Brazil's controversial win; Peru hold Ecuador

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil went behind for the first time in eight games on Wednesday but responded with a controversial equaliser before netting a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time for a 2-1 victory over Colombia in the Copa America.

Brazil had won their previous nine games coming into the match in Rio de Janeiro, all bar one of them without conceding a goal, but they went behind in the 10th minute thanks to a wonder strike from Luis Diaz.

Juan Cuadrado swung in a cross from the right and Porto midfielder Diaz leapt acrobatically to volley an overhead kick past a helpless Weverton.

Brazil were forced to chase the game and they had most of the ball and almost all the chances, though Colombia did an excellent job of closing them down in the final third.

The hosts eventually got an equalizer with 12 minutes remaining, though it came in controversial circumstances.

With Brazil on the attack the ball hit referee Nestor Pitana and as Colombia's players paused expecting him to order a drop ball the Argentine, who refereed the 2018 World Cup final, allowed play to continue.

Brazil took full advantage as Roberto Firmino headed home a cross from the left, with goalkeeper David Ospina letting the ball squirm through his hands on the night he tied Carlos Valderrama as Colombia's most capped male player with 111 appearances.

The Colombian players were incensed but the goal was allowed to stand, even after a check by the Video Assistant Referee.

Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda refused to be drawn on the decision other than to say, "I think the situation with the referee distracted our players."

There was worse to come for the visitors. Their protests after the equalizer led to 10 minutes of stoppage time being added, and in the 100th minute of the match Casemiro headed home from a corner to give Brazil the win.

Captain Casemiro said Brazil fully deserved the three points.

"Brazil deserve congratulations for their mental strength, for being well on top, and getting our reward in the end because we had the coolness to keep plugging away in search of a goal," he added. "That's the mentality you have to have.

"They came forward once, scored a goal, sat back and it turned into a game of attack against defence." Agencies

Peru rally to earn 2-2 draw with Ecuador

Peru came back from a two-goal deficit to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout phase with a 2-2 draw against Ecuador in Goiania. Celta Vigo midfielder Renato Tapia gifted Ecuador the perfect start by sliding the ball into his own net after a Pervis Estupinan cross from the left flank.

Ayrton Preciado doubled Ecuador's lead on the stroke of half-time with a low finish following Damian Diaz's curling 30-yard free kick from the right wing.

Peru struck just after the restart through Gianluca Lapadula, who finished coolly when Christian Cueva's defence-splitting pass left him one-on-one with goalkeeper Hernan Galindez. Andre Carrillo put Peru on level terms five minutes later, slotting a first-time shot past Galindez after combining with Lapadula.

The result means Peru have four points from three matches while Ecuador have two points, with both teams having one group match left. IANS

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