Hamilton, ON, Canada
A sparse crowd at CIBC Hamilton Soccer Stadium witnessed Brazil win comfortably 4 – nil in a Pan Am Games group A match.
It took only three minutes for the game’s first goal, as the Brazilians opened the scoring in style. After mounting pressure led to a corner, the ensuing kick was beautifully taken by Dodo, who landed it perfectly in open space in the six-yard box. A timely run from Luan had the Brazilian captain neatly slotting the ball between the keeper and player guarding the goal post.
With intensity climbing and Peru finally finally enjoying some possession, Brazil scored it’s second goal of the match with a goal from Clayton, who was sent in with a shot that perhaps should have been cleared by the defender.
Peru certainly had its chances both leading up to and after Brazil’s second, with some strong play from Ray Sandoval. His first missed opportunity came from a clean strike but the keeper was up the challenge. The second was a beautiful shot from Yordi that dinged the crossbar and stayed out. However, it was Brazil who continued to make good on their chances, scoring their third of the match, this time from Romulo (26′)
The rout was on only four minutes later when the game’s fourth goal was scored by Brazil after some excellent link-up play with Clayton finding Raphael, who clinically finished, the goalie with no chance.
The difference between the two sides was the ball control in the opponent’s 18-yard box. Brazil had numbers, several outlets to find, while Peru were left badly outnumbered at each chance. While the scoreboard could, and should have been closer, the Brazilian dominance in teh box was the difference.
First Half Stats:
Shots on Goal: 3(3) – 7(7)
Corners: 4-4
Offsides: 4-2
Ball Possession %: 48-52
With the match all but decided, Peru started the second half much like the first: some quality chances but nothing to show. A fine save from Brazil’s keeper, Andrey, maintained his clean sheet just minutes into the second half.
Each team traded opportunities with missed chances. As the second half wore on, Brazil tightened its defending, Peru with very few quality chances to narrow the insurmountable gap.
Peru 0-4 Brazil (FT)
Second Half Stats:
Shots on Goal: 5(7) – 8(10)
Corners: 8-7
Offsides: 9-2
Ball Possession%: 45-55
Next up: Monday, July 20
Brazil v Panama
Peru v Canada
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