Paolo Guerrero scored a hattrick to beat Bolivia as Peru secured a semi-finals spot in the 2015 Copa America where they will come across Arsenala s Alexis Sanchez led Chile.
Peru dominated the quarter-final fixture from the start even though they were missing Josepmir Ballon and Carlos Lobaton due to suspension. Paolo Guerrero led the team from the front and managed to put Peru comfortably in the driving seat after scoring his second goal halfway into the first half. Jefferson Farfan had the opportunity to add to Perua s tally and came close to scoring on more than one occasion but failed to hit the mark. Bolivia were lucky to finish the first half with a deficit of just two goals. Though they made a spirited start to the second half after making two changes to the line-up, Bolivia couldna t capitalize on their chances.
Paolo Guerrero-The Hattrick Hero
Having scored a brilliant hattrick to see Peru into the semi-finals of the tournament, Guerrero is tied with Vidal as the highest goal-scorer in the tournament and has the promise to lead his nation into the finals of the Copa America 2015. With 24 goals to his name for the national side, Guerrero is 3 goals shy of Teofilo Cubillasa record of 26 goals for Peru.
The former Bayern Munich striker opened the scoring in the 20th minute after meeting Vargasa cross with a header and went on to double Perua s lead just three minutes after. He found his third goal in the 74th minute of the match which effectively sealed Boliviaa s fate even though Moreno Martins pulled one back from the penalty spot.
Speaking after the match, Guerrero insisted that his national team was peaking at the right time and stated that their performance against Bolivia dismissed the criticism levelled against the team earlier.
“We’re getting better and better. Not many people had much confidence in us before this tournament but once again we’re showing that we’re a good side.”
Peru V Chile: The First Semi-Final Of 2015 Copa America
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Having skipped past Boliviaa s challenge in the quarter-finals, Peru have set up a date with Chile who will provide the likes of Paolo Guerrero and Claudio Pizzaro a stiff competition in the semi-finals. Peru managed to survive one of the toughest groups in the Copa America and have shown immense promise following their performance against Bolivia.
But the question that remains is whether the Peruvian national side has the necessary ammunition to counter an Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal led Chile. Chile managed to overcome Uruguay in a feisty encounter where PSG striker Edison Cavani and Gonzalo Jara grabbed the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Though Chile enter this fixture as the favourites to reach the finals of the 2015 Copa America, Peru have shown themselves capable of packing a punch and have the ability to cause an upset in the semi-finals.
