Peru eliminate Venezuela to qualify, Ecuador draw with Brazil to progress

Group B reached it’s conclusion this Sunday with the four qualifiers confirmed for the next round of the CONMEBOL Copa América 2021. Peru and Ecuador will join Brazil and Colombia in the quarterfinals of the world’s oldest national team competition.

Venezuela become the second side eliminated from the tournament, joining Bolivia in missing out on the knockout stage.

In Goiania Ecuador came from behind to draw 1-1 with hosts and as of yet unbeaten Brazil to book that place in the next round.

Brazil took the lead thanks to an Éder Militão header but a smart Ángel Mena finish in the second half rescued Ecuador and they were able to get the pointed they needed.

With this draw (and Venezuela’s defeat against Peru) Gustavo Alfaro’s side secured fourth place and progress. Brazil, on the other hand, remain unbeaten, finishing top with 10 points.

NUMBERS FROM THE GAME

• This is the first time Ecuador have drawn 3 games at the Copa America. They scored in all 3 of thier draws in the competition (2-2 against Venezuela and Peru, 1-1 against Brazil).
• Brazil scored in a CONMEBOL Copa América game and failed to win for the first time since their 1-1 draw and elimination against Paraguay (8 wins). Brazil failed to score in the three draws and one during this period.
• Ecuador is the third team to have drawn against Brazil having gone in at halftime behind since Tite took charge (Colombia in 2017 and Switzerland in 2018). Brazil finished winners in the other 24 games they lead at half time.
•  Ecuador brought an end to Brazil’s run of 10 consecutive wins in all competitions and 5 consecutive Copa Ameria wins.
• Brazil is the only team to score more than one headed goal at the 2021 Copa America. Éder Militão’s opener was the third goal in a row scored with the head.
• Ángel Mena is the second substitute to score for Ecuador at the Copa América 2021, the other was Gonzalo Plata. BrazilDATA: OPTA

– Peru eliminate Venezuela from the tournamet –

In Brazilia Venezuela’s participation at the 2021 CONMEBOL Copa América came to an end with a 1-0 loss against Peru who secured second spot in Group B.

André Carrillo scored the only goal of the game for Ricardo Gareca’s side who now await confirmation of their Group A opponent.

José Peseiro‘s side, who had some very notable absences, were competitive throughout their participation and will reflect on the positives from a difficult tournament.

With that the final standing in Grupo B was as follows: Brasil (10), Perú (7), Colombia (4), Ecuador (3). Venezuela with 2 points were eliminated.

NUMBERS FROM THE GAME

• Peru has only lost 1 of the 9 games against Venezuela at the CONMEBOL Copa América (6 wins, 2 draws). Furthermore, they have not conceded in their last 3 games against Vinotinto in the tournament (2 wins, 1 draw).
• Since Ricardo Gareca became Peru manager the side has played Venezuela 6 times. They won 2, drew  3 and lost once in 2015 in a friendly in Fort Lauderdale.
• Peru’s Andrés Carrillo scored his second CONMEBOL Copa América 2021 goal and third in the history of the competition. In the three games in which he has scored his goal was his only effort on goal.
• Against Venezuela, Peru played the game in which they had the most shots (12, average 9.2), possession (56.9%, promedia 47%), pass completion percentage (86.5%, average 81.9%) and passes into the final third (57, average 44.3) in this year’s CONMEBOL Copa América.
• Venezuela had less possession than their rival in all four games at the CONMEBOL Copa América. They also had the second lowest possession percentage in the tournament (37.3%, Bolivia had 36.9%). Against Peru Vinotinto had 43.1% of possession, their highest in this year’s competition.