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Peru defeated Bolivia 3-1 in the quarter finals Copa America, a hat-trick from Flamengo striker Paulo Guerrero ensured Peru with a place in the semi-finals; they will face off with hosts Chile for a place in the final. Guerrero finished top goalscorer in the 2011 Copa America and his three goals against Bolivia places him in contention to retain his award. Bolivia won their first game outside their own country in this Copa America with a 3-2 victory over Ecuador, and also held Mexico to a draw which enabled them to qualify for the final stages of the competition despite being the lowest ranked team.
Peru looked the better side straight from the kick-off, attacking at every opportunity with Bolivia looking to sit back and play on the counter attack. Peru testing Romel Quinonez in the opening five minutes, Jefferson Farfan forcing the goalkeeper into a good save from a free-kick, the Bolivia stopper has impressed in the competition.
Guerrero opened the scoring for Peru in the 20th minute, Juan Manuel Vargas sending in a magnificent cross from the left hand side which Guerrero headed home, a good finish from the ‘Predator’ to put his side in the lead.
Guerrero doubled the lead just three minutes later, Peru quick to counter attack a Bolivia set piece, Christian Cueva playing through Guerrero and he found the bottom corner, Quinonez looked to have lost his footing as Guerrero closed in on goal giving the striker an easy chance to slot home his second goal of the game.
Bolivia came close to getting a goal back in the 30th, Marcelo Moreno’s header was denied by a fantastic reaction save from Gallese, a really good stop from the goalkeeper to deny the striker.
Jefferson Farfan came close to making it 3-0 for Peru inside 36 minutes, Farfan was unmarked and Guerrero played the ball into his path but his strike struck the outside of the post and out of play, the winger should have really sealed the victory for Peru. Farfan was once again denied by the woodwork, his free kick striking the crossbar, Bolivia really fortunate to only be behind by two goals going into the break.
Bolivia made two changes at the break, bringing Pablo Escobar and Damien Lizio, the changes looked to have had a positive impact on the team as they looked more energetic; battling for every ball and pressing Peru with intent.
Bolivia made strong appeals for a penalty in the 69th minute but the referee thought otherwise, the Bolivia players seemed incensed that Pedriel was brought down inside the area by Gallese, strong appeals from the players but the player looked to have fallen before contact was made with the goalkeeper.
Paulo Guerrero completed his hat-trick in the 74th minute thanks to complete lack of concentration from the Bolivian defence. Danny Bejarano passed the ball to the opposition striker to send him through on goal, the striker made no mistake as he found slotted past Quinonez to cement his hat-trick and the victory for Peru.
Bolivia got the opportunity to pull a goal back in the 83rd minute as Luis Advincula’s trailing leg tripped up Lizio in the penalty area, an easy decision for the referee to make. Marcelo Moreno stepped up and smashed home down the middle to make it 3-1.
Peru seeing the game out and advancing into semi-finals, Los Incas will be up against the hosts Chile in Santiago on Monday, Chile have looked a force in the competition so far and it will take a lot to stop the attack of La Roja. Ricardo Gareca’s men will have to handle the trickery and awareness that Jorge Valdivia possess and the pace of Alexis Sanchez if they are to try and stifle the attacking threat of Chile, it will be a tough ask as Chile are the competitions leading goalscorers with 11 goals so far.
