Agencies

Lucas Paqueta did it again. Brazil’s super substitute, who scored the winner in the quarterfinals against Chile, earned the start against Peru in the semifinals of the Copa America on Monday and delivered the only goal in a 1-0 victory.

Brazil star Neymar was quick to sing his team mate’s praises and said there was more to come. “Paqueta is a great player, he’s getting better with each game. He had a great season with his club and here he is showing that he can be a very important player for Brazil.”

It was yet another performance from Brazil where they were wasteful in front of goal as Peru’s Pedro Gallese made seven fine saves, but it was more than enough to advance in Copa America final.

Neymar said he hopes Argentina will be their opponents in the Copa America final and has no doubts that the hosts would come out on top against their fierce rivals.

“I want Argentina, I am cheering them on,” Neymar, who missed Brazil’s Copa America triumph on home soil two years ago but inspired them to the 2013 Confederations Cup as well as Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, said with a smile. “I have friends there and in the final Brazil will win.”

Brazil have won the Copa America every time they hosted the tournament and in the early part of Monday’s match showed exactly why they are favourites to do so again.

The last time the two sides met in a Copa America final was in 2007, when Brazil won 3-0 in Venezuela, and a title match between the arch rivals would be a treat for the neutrals.

It would not only pit the tournament’s only unbeaten teams against each other it would also be a showdown between two of the best No. 10s in the game, former Barcelona team mates Neymar and Lionel Messi.

Both players have had an exceptional tournament so far, with Neymar recording two goals and three assists, while Messi has four goals and four assists.