Lucas Paqueta sent reigning champions of Copa America Brazil into the final with a first-half winner against Peru at the Nilton Santos Stadium.
Brazil, who have won the Copa America each time they hosted the competition, will presently face Argentina in Saturday’s Final at the Maracana.
Argentina also beat Colombia by 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 drawn game at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia.
That said, Brazil forward Neymar was keen to meet the Lionel Messi and his team in the final, and indeed, it is just going to happen.
He said:
“I want Argentina, I am cheering them on,” Neymar said. I have friends there and in the final Brazil will win.”
Paris St-Germain forward Neymar was a brilliant flash for Brazil as they again edged Peru, the side they beat in the 2019 last to lift the trophy for the 10th time.
In the interim, Lionel Messi has been extraordinary so far in the Copa America, having bagged four goals, made four assists and four man of the match performances in five games.
The Argentina skipper has reached at 76 goals in 149 games for the Argentina team and he is one goal away from Pele’s record of the most goals at any point scored for a CONMEBOL country, with 77 goals in 92 appearances.
Lionel Messi just need a goal to equal or outperform Pele’s record. Meanwhile, Argentine media have hailed Messi’s stupendous show so far in this edition of the Copa America.
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