Brazil 1-0 Peru: 5 talking points as Selecao progress to the final | Copa America 2021 

#3 Peru bow out with heads held high

Peru held their own against Brazil

Peru were not given a chance against Brazil heading into the game and rightly so, owing to the difference in class and ambition between the two sides.

Both teams met in the group stage, with Brazil winning 4-0 to signify their ambition to retain their Copa crown.

Many would have expected another scandalous result, considering how porous the Peruvian defense has been in recent times.

La Blanquirroja came into the game having conceded 10 goals in their last five matches. And it was believed Neymar and co. would run riot again.

However, that was not the case and Peru ended up giving as good as they got against Brazil.

They threatened to be overrun in a first half that was dominated by Brazil, but Peru slowly grew into the game and might have gotten an equalizer but for some brilliant saves by Ederson.

Despite losing the game, Peru bow out on a high and will be in buoyant spirits ahead of their third-place playoff fixture.

---

#2 Impressive Neymar acting as the catalyst for Brazil

Neymar provided the assists for Brazil's winner

Neymar missed out through injury as Brazil ended their 12-year wait for Copa America glory on home turf two years ago.

The 29-year-old is seemingly making up for lost time and has been the driving force behind his country's march to the final this time around.

The Paris Saint-Germain man has faced accusations of selfishness in the past but with 109 caps to his name, Neymar is very much the most experienced player in the current squad.

He has adapted to his elder statesman role perfectly and is putting the team before himself. The trademark flicks and tricks are still a part of his game, but he has reduced them to only when necessary.

This much was evident when he dribbled across the Peruvian defense only to square the ball for Paqueta when he might have taken a couple of extra touches in the past.

The assist took him to five-goal contributions from five matches, making the former Barcelona man one of the standout performers in the tournament so far.

He would have been a shoo-in to be named the Best Player of the tournament but for his former teammate and friend Lionel Messi.

Brazil are one game away from winning an 11th Copa America title and with Neymar leading their charge, they will fancy their chances.

---

Also See: Seven greatest Brazilian defenders of all-time

---

#1 Has Tite lost faith in his out-and-out strikers?

Roberto Firmino was left on the bench

Brazil might have a well-stocked squad in most departments but the centre-forward position is not one to inspire fear.

The trio of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Barbosa and Roberto Firmino have not done enough to guarantee their positions. And it came as no surprise to see Tite file his side out without a specialist centre-forward against Peru.

Neymar's goal-threat, of course, means that he can fill in when needed but the essence of an out-and-out striker cannot be overemphasized.

This is something neither the PSG man nor Richarlison or Lucas Paqueta could offer.

Brazil ultimately won the game and, on evidence of their centre-forward's underperformance in recent weeks, Tite could line up his side in the final without a specialist striker.

---

Also See: Six greatest players who never received an international cap