Copa America: ‘Eager’ Brazil face Peru and look to cement their place in knockout round

Both Brazil and Peru have a victory and draw through two games in Group B, and lead it with four points. Ecuador, with two points, still has a chance of advancing should Brazil and Peru tie. They meet Haiti in the other match.

Brazil's players practice during training June 11, 2016 before their upcoming COPA America 2016 match against Peru at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. AFP / TIMOTHY A. CLARY

Monday, June 12 (in UAE time)

Ecuador v Haiti, beIN Sports, 2.30am

Brazil v Peru, beIN Sports, 4:30am

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. // When Brazil plays in Copa America, it generally has ended up making deep tournament runs.

After trudging to a draw with Ecuador in its Copa America opener, Brazil took a big step in its rout over Haiti to surge to the top of its group.

It enters its final matchup of group play Sunday night hoping to show even more of that progress against a Peru team that has also played well in this tournament.

“The team is eager,” Brazil defender Filipe Luis said. “There are a lot of players here for first time. They had never played together. Every day we get to know each other better on the field. Personally I think the team is growing up and getting better.”

Both Brazil and Peru have a victory and draw through two games in Group B, and lead it with four points. Ecuador, with two points, still has a chance of advancing should Brazil and Peru tie, but it would have to beat Haiti in Sunday’s early game by at least two goals.

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Entering Sunday, Brazil is the best position to advance should there be any ties, thanks to a plus-six goal differential. Peru tied Ecuador, and has just a plus-one goal differential.

Despite all the scenarios, Peru coach Ricardo Gareca said his team is only focused on winning.

“We’re very hopeful,” Gareca said. “We know this is a very tough game, but we have very good expectations and we think we can play a good game and it will help us achieve our goal.”

A victory over Brazil would break a long drought. Peru hasn’t earned an international victory against the perennial power since 1985.

But Peru has also fared well in its most recent Copa America appearances, finishing third in both 2015 and 2011. It also has advanced to at least the quarterfinals in each of its last seven Copa appearances.

While Brazil exploded for seven goals in its victory over Haiti Wednesday, it left that game with a big void to fill after midfielder Casemiro was hit with his second yellow card of the tournament. He will serve a one-game suspension Sunday night.

Brazil coach Dunga remained mum about his options. They include Lucas Lima, veteran Elias and 21-year-old Walace, who came on late against Haiti to make his senior team debut.

Dunga was mum, but said he was planning to use Brazil’s final training session Saturday evening to lock in his choice.

“In my head it’s decided,” Dunga said. “I’m going to be on the field to see if my eyes confirm what was in my mind.”

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