Copa America 2019 Final: Brazil vs Peru – 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis

#2 Gabriel Jesus lights up the final before seeing red

Jesus scored Brazil's 2nd goal

From painting the streets yellow during the 2014 FIFA World Cup to leading the line at the next World Cup in Russia, Gabriel Jesus’ career has been nothing short of a fairy tale. Yet, akin to many of those fables, his story too had its fair share of thorny bits and none were as severe as the criticism he faced after last summer’s poor World Cup showing.

Unsurprisingly, the youngster found himself weighed down by the enormous expectations, some warranted and others not quite so. Consequently, his performances dipped alarmingly and he played only a fleeting role during his club’s victorious campaign in 2018-19.

Thus, when the Copa America dawned, several were out with their swords, waiting for another string of uninspiring displays. However, that was hardly the case as he almost single-handedly lifted Brazil to the top of the South American summit.

Jesus added to his goal and assist against Argentina with a similar tally on Sunday.

He first laid the ball on a plate for Everton to open the scoring and then made the net ripple himself. However, one facet of his game that has shown significant improvement at the tournament has been his approach play.

For the first goal, he collected the ball on the right flank, twisted, turned and then bamboozled Miguel Trauco with an exquisite bit of skill. The above created the requisite space for him to whip the ball in devilishly for Everton to pounce.

The second goal embodied Jesus to the tee. After Arthur had ghosted forward, the striker sensed an opportunity to get away from his marker and he did so adroitly. He stepped inside just a touch and then moved away from the defender. In the process, he had generated the time and space he needed to smash the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper.

Over the course of the tournament, there have been numerous positives for Brazil to take home. However, none would have been as satisfying as watching Jesus rediscover his mojo and enthral the audiences.

After all, he is just 22 and if fit and firing, Jesus could be Brazil’s saviour for a long, long time.