Copa America 24 Recap: Chile Wasteful in 0-0 Draw with Peru
Group A's opening rounds proved this is a wide open group behind Argentina.
Everyone figured that Group A was going to be a race for second place behind Argentina, and after a scoreless draw in their opener both Chile and Peru have left the group wide open after one game.
Yesterday, Argentina defeated Canada 2-0 which meant a golden opportunity for either Chile or Peru to keep pace with a win and three vital points towards advancing to the quarterfinals. But both teams would settle for a point after a scoreless draw.
Chile squandered a tremendous chance 15 minutes in when Alexis Sanchez put one over the bar from six yards out as La Roja finished the night just 1-for-11 shooting.
It was Peru that generated the majority of the remaining chances — few as they were — with Miguel Araujo right before halftime forcing 41 year old Claudio Bravo into a smart save off a headed set piece.
Peru striker Gianluca Lapadula had the best chances in the second half though he wasn’t able to muster significant power on a 57th minute effort at close range. Two minutes later he out muscled the Chile defense to latch onto a half clearance but a stretched effort went over the bar.
Claudio Bravo (4 saves) was able to do just enough to command his area the rest of the way with a nervy moment in the 79th minute where he was fouled corralling a loose ball which led to Alexis Sanchez getting booked for dissent. The Peru defense cut out what few opportunities Chile was able to muster in front of Pedro Gallese (1 save) on the counter.
The draw puts both Chile and Peru in a tie for second with one point behind leaders Argentina with three. Canada however has to feel confident that they’re still in this group despite their opening loss.
Group A play continues on Tuesday June 25th with Peru-Canada at 6pm EDT from Kansas City and Chile-Argentina at 9pm EDT from East Rutherford, NJ.
Group B play starts later today, Saturday June 22nd with Ecuador-Venezuela at 6pm EDT from Santa Clara, CA and Mexico-Jamaica from Houston at 9pm EDT.