Brazil edged
Peru 1-0 to book their place in the Copa America final on Monday as superstar Neymar
set up the winning goal with a brilliant solo dribbling run. The Paris Saint-Germain
forward beat three Peru defenders before setting up midfielder Lucas Pacqueta
to score the only goal of the night with the hosts in a position to win their
second Copa America title in three years.

The Selecao
defeated Peru in the final in 2019 to win their ninth title and the first since
2017. Neymar missed out that edition with an ankle ligament injury, but will have
a chance to lift the trophy for the first time in his career on Saturday at the iconic Maracan Stadium in Rio against either Argentina or Colombia, who meet in the other semi-final on
Tuesday.

Peru will
play the loser from that match for the third-place match on Friday.

Brazil started the match strongly and dominated the first half. The hosts created the first big chance of the game in the eighth minute,  when Pacqueta send Richarlison in behind the defence with a through ball. 

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The Everton forward then squared the ball to Neymar, who shot his effort wide. This was followed by Casemiro testing the Peru goalkeeper with a free kick from distance before Everton cut in from the right and shot at goal. 

Brazil were tightening the screws and kept Pedro Gallese busy, the Peruvian shot-stopped showing incredible reflexes to deny Neymar and Richarlison from close range. 

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However, the resistance ended in the 35th minute, when Neymar turned on the style to skip past three defenders, squaring the ball for Pacqueta to give Brazil the lead. 

Peru were much more of an offensive threat in the second half, and had their best chance to equalise nine minutes from time when a Yoshimar Yotun freekick was met by Alexander Callens inside the box. However, the defender headed the ball wide of the post from close range as Brazil saw out the rest of the match with ease.