Alexandre Pato and Neymar ensure Brazil progress at Copa America

Rex Gowar,Reuters
Thursday 14 July 2011 05:41 EDT
Comments
(GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Strikers Alexandre Pato and Neymar scored two goals apiece as Brazil beat Ecuador 4-2 to finish top of Group B at the Copa America last night and set up a quarter-final against Paraguay.

The result left Venezuela with second place in the group and a last-eight meeting with Group C winners Chile in San Juan. The other quarter-finals pit hosts Argentina against Uruguay while Colombia take on Peru.

Title-holders Brazil, winners of four of the last five tournaments, have already shared a 2-2 draw in the group stage with Paraguay, who qualified as one of the two best third-placed teams along with Peru.

Ecuador bowed out of the tournament with two good goals from Felipe Caicedo in an exciting match that capped a lively final night for the South American tournament's group stage.

Venezuela earlier mounted a remarkable late comeback to snatch a 3-3 draw against Paraguay in Salta.

After a dull opening half-hour, Brazil lit up the match at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium with a fine headed goal by Pato from Andre Santos's left cross.

Eight minutes later, Brazil might have gone two goals up when Robinho's shot from Maicon's right cross hit goalkeeper Marcelo Elizaga's left-hand post.

Instead, down the other end less than a minute later, big striker Caicedo found space to shoot from the edge of the box and the ball squeezed in under goalkeeper Julio Cesar for the equaliser.

Ecuador could have gone ahead in first half stoppage time but for the Brazil goalkeeper's diving save from a curling, left-footed shot from the right by Michael Arroyo.

Brazil regained the lead four minutes into the second half when Paulo Henrique Ganso took a ball with his back to goal, turned and slotted it through to Neymar who scored in the top corner.

Caicedo hit his second equaliser just before the hour when Christian Noboa won the ball in midfield and set the striker up to shoot low past Julio Cesar.

Pato put Brazil ahead again within two minutes, netting the rebound after Elizaga parried a shot from Neymar, who then made it four for Brazil in the 72nd by turning in Maicon's low cross.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in