Lucas Paqueta sent defending champions Brazil into the Copa America final with a first-half winner against Peru at the Nilton Santos Stadium.
Neymar beat three defenders on the left before crossing for Paqueta to guide home the semi-final’s only goal.
Brazil, who have won the Copa America every time they hosted the tournament, face either Argentina or Colombia in Saturday’s final at the Maracana.
“I want Argentina, I am cheering them on,” Neymar said.
“I have friends there and in the final Brazil will win.”
Paris St-Germain forward Neymar was a bright spark for Brazil as they again edged Peru, the side their beat in the 2019 final to lift the trophy for the ninth time.
Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made a fine double save from point-blank range to deny Neymar and Richarlison early on.
Neymar’s trickery and ability to find Paqueta with a finely placed pass when surrounded by Peruvian defenders on the left proved decisive in the 34th minute.
Peru pressed for a second-half equaliser, with Gianluca Lapadula testing Ederson with a fierce effort, but they failed to upstage the hosts.
Line-ups
Brazil
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 23Ederson
- 2Danilo
- 4Marquinhos
- 3Thiago Silva
- 16Lodi dos SantosSubstituted forMilitãoat 85′minutes
- 5Casemiro
- 8FredSubstituted forFabinhoat 85′minutes
- 19Sousa SoaresSubstituted forde Barros Ribeiroat 70′minutes
- 17Tolentino Coelho de LimaSubstituted forDouglas Luizat 90+2′minutes
- 10Neymar
- 7RicharlisonSubstituted forVinícius Júniorat 85′minutesBooked at 89mins
Substitutes
- 1Alisson
- 6Lobo Silva
- 11de Barros Ribeiro
- 12Pereira da Silva
- 13Leite de Souza Junior
- 14Militão
- 15Fabinho
- 18Vinícius Júnior
- 20Firmino
- 21Barbosa Almeida
- 22Rech Ortiz
- 25Douglas Luiz
Peru
Formation 5-4-1
- 1Gallese
- 3CorzoSubstituted forLoraat 75′minutes
- 4Santamaría
- 15RamosSubstituted forGarcíaat 45′minutes
- 22Callens
- 6TraucoSubstituted forLópezat 45′minutesBooked at 90mins
- 8Peña
- 13TapiaSubstituted forTávaraat 89′minutes
- 19YotúnBooked at 56mins
- 10CuevaSubstituted forOrmeñoat 81′minutes
- 9Lapadula
Substitutes
- 2Abram
- 5Araujo
- 7Távara
- 11Valera
- 12Cáceda
- 14Cartagena
- 16López
- 17Iberico
- 20Ormeño
- 21Carvallo
- 24García
- 26Lora
- Referee:
- Roberto Tobar
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Brazil 1, Peru 0.
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Second Half ends, Brazil 1, Peru 0.
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Thiago Silva (Brazil) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Sergio Peña (Peru).
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Foul by Vinícius Júnior (Brazil).
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Jhilmar Lora (Peru) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Eder Militão (Brazil) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Gianluca Lapadula (Peru).
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Substitution, Brazil. Douglas Luiz replaces Lucas Paquetá because of an injury.
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Marcos López (Peru) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Substitution, Peru. Martín Távara replaces Renato Tapia.
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Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Vinícius Júnior (Brazil).
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Jhilmar Lora (Peru) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Neymar (Brazil) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
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Substitution, Brazil. Eder Militão replaces Renan Lodi.
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Substitution, Brazil. Vinícius Júnior replaces Richarlison.
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Substitution, Brazil. Fabinho replaces Fred.
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Neymar (Brazil) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Alexander Callens (Peru).
