Late goal puts Chile into quarter-finals

Chile scores a late goal against Peru to qualify for the Copa America quarter-final [REUTERS]

An injury time own-goal from Andre Camillo gave Chile a 1-0 victory over Peru to leave them top of Group C at the Copa America in Argentina.

Chile will now face the second-placed team in Group B, which will be determined on Wednesday when Brazil face Ecuador and Paraguay play Venezuela who are already through as group leaders.

Chile left it until two minutes into second-half stoppage time, when a curling corner taken by Jorge Valdivia rebounded off the knee of Peru substitute Andre Carrillo and into the open goal.

Chile finished Group C on top with seven points and managed to avoid the hosts and tournament favourites Argentina, who topped Group A. Argentina now play Uruguay in the quarter-finals who beat Mexico 1-0 to claim second place in Group C.

“Chile deserved to finish first in the group,” said coach Claudio Borghi who took over from Marcelo Bielsa following the 2010 World Cup.

Chile and Peru had already secured their quarter-final spots before the game and had rested several regular starters for the game at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas. Peru coach Sergio Markarian made nine changes from the squad that beat Mexico 1-0 in their previous match.

Both teams were reduced to 10 men from the 62nd minute when Chile’s Jean Beausejour and Peru’s Giancarlo Carmona were sent off for an altercation which followed a rough challenge.

Chile controlled much of the game and striker Esteban Pareden came close in the 14th minute but he was just a bit late to try and get on the end of a low cross by Jean Beusejour. In the second half, Paredes went close again for Chile with a header that caught the outside of the net.

The match appeared to be heading for a goalless draw, after Chile’s Humberto Suazo narrowly failed to get on the end of a deflected cross in injury time.

Chile’s winner came from a subsequent corner from Jorge Valdivia. Waldo Ponce was credited with the goal, but replays showed the ball had last touch the knee of Peru’s Andre Carrillo.

The victory means Chile will play their quarter-final at San Juan, near the Chilean border.

Old rivalry renewed

Uruguay’s winning goal against Mexico came in the 15th minute as a Diego Forlan free kick was pounced on by Alvaro Pereira.

Uruguay dominated the early play, and Pereira’s goal gave them even more momentum.

Mexico’s keeper Michel was forced to make a diving stop just a minute after the goal, while Uruguay’s Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez could have doubled the lead in the first half. Uruguay pressed for a second goal in the second half, dominating most of the possession.

Uruguay should have scored more, with Forlan missing three or four clear chances. Forlan is now scoreless in his last 10 matches with the national team.

Uruguay and Argentina have each won the Copa America 14 times, and the winners of their match will be firm favourites to go all the way.