By FRANCO PANIZO
Peru's finishing may have been subpar, but that didn't stop Sergio Markarian's men from grabbing three points and a share of first place in Group C.
Jose Paolo Guerrero scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Mexico on Friday night, a result that tied the Peruvians with Chile for first place in the group with four points apiece. Guerrero's goal, which he scored in the 82nd minute from close range, came after he missed a bevy of chances throughout the game.
Field a team largely consisting of younger players, Mexico threatened the Peruvian back line but lost its edge as the game wore on. Giovani Dos Santos was the focal point of Mexico's attacks, but he couldn't stop the Peruvians from creating chance after chance, including a pair of opportunities that Juan Vargas hit off the post. Mexico is in last place of the group with zero points after two close losses.
Here are the game highlights as well as other Copa America results:
SANCHEZ SAVES CHILE IN DRAW AGAINST URUGUAY
In an enteraining Group C match, in-demand winger Alexis Sanchez scored the equalizer for Chile in a 1-1 draw with Uruguay. Los Charruas went ahead with a goal from Alvaro Fereira in the 53rd minute, but they couldn't close out the game as Sanchez netted 11 minutes later. With the result, Chile is tied with Peru for first place in the group with four points while Uruguay is in third with two.
Here are the match highlights:
COSTA RICA STUN BOLIVIA 2-0
In one of the biggest surprises of the Copa America so far, a young Costa Rica side defeated Bolivia, 2-0, on Thursday night in Group A action.
Ricardo La Volpe's team got a pair of second half goals from Josue Martinez and Joel Campbell against a Bolivian team that lost two players to red cards. After taking the lead near the hour mark, Costa Rica could have put the game away in the 75th minute but Carlos Arias saved an Allen Guevara Zuniga penalty kick. It made no difference as Los Ticos scored an insurance goal three minutes later, and they celebrated it by acknowledging a no. 20 Costa Rica jersey in memory of the late Dennis Marshall.
With the win, Costa Rica currently sits in second place of the group with three points while Bolivia is in last with one.
Here are the match highlights:
——-
What did you think of Peru's victory over Mexico? Surprised Uruguay has yet to win? Do you see Costa Rica making it to the quarterfinals?
Share your thoughts below.