Reuters
Pasadena (USA), June 5: Eight times champions Brazil were held goalless by Ecuador in Group B glamour game as the second day of the Copa America Centenario here Saturday. Meanwhile, Paolo Guerrero’s diving header put Peru in the driving seat in Group B with a 1-0 win over Haiti in Seattle after Costa Rica and Paraguay had also played out a goalless draw in Group A in Orlando.
Neither Brazil nor Ecuador were able to dominate the match and it was the Andean side who might consider themselves unlucky not to have snatched all three points after having a goal chalked off 20 minutes into the second half.
Miller Bolanos crossed the ball from the byline and Brazil custodian Alisson dragged it into his own net but the linesman ruled the ball had already gone out of play.
Brazil had more chances at the Rose Bowl stadium where they won the 1994 World Cup with Esteban Dreer saving well from Philippe Coutinho in the third minute and substitute Lucas Moura almost grabbing a winner with just seven minutes left only to see his header whizz agonisingly wide. Brazilian midfielder Renato Augusto however, lamented the result but praised Ecuador, who lived up to their reputation as one of the continent’s fastest sides with plenty of running and counter attacks.
They result means that both sides will trail Peru in Group B after the twice champions edged a competitive Haiti at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field.
Flamengo striker Guerrero got the winner after an hour when he dived with full stretch to head home a pinpoint cross from Edison Flores. The goal, his 27th in internationals, made him Peru’s all-time leading goalscorer, one ahead of the legendary Teofilo Cubillas.
Peru were the better of the two sides but Haiti should have equalised in the dying minutes only for substitute Kervens Belfort to head over when scoring looked easier. Brazil will play Haiti while Ecuador face Peru Wednesday.
In Orlando, the Florida heat worked against both sides in Costa Rica’s lacklustre goalless draw with Paraguay, a game that had more cards – five yellow and one red – than shots on target.
Costa Rica improved after the break but were toothless in front of goal and they were dealt a blow in stoppage time when Kendall Waston was given a straight red for a ruthless foul on Nelson Valdez.
The draw was Paraguay’s ninth in their last 13 Copa America encounters. Costa Rica play the tournaments hosts in Chicago Tuesday, when Colombia face Paraguay here.
