Guerrero helps Peru clinch 3rd spot at Copa
AFP
AFP, CONCEPCION (CHILE): Paolo Guerrero fired Peru to a third place play-off victory over Paraguay here Friday to stay in the hunt for Copa America tournament top-scorer honours.
The Flamengo striker, top-scorer at the 2011 Copa America, bagged his fourth goal of this years tournament with a late strike as Peru completed a 2-0 victory.The goal saw Guerrero join Chiles Eduardo Vargas as joint top-scorer.
The 31-year-olds 25th international goal has also edged him closer to overhauling Peru legend Teofilo Cubillass national record of 26 goals. Perus other goal came from Andre Carrillo in the 48th minute.
A dangerous corner by Perus highly rated midfielder Christian Cueva was headed into the path of Carrillo by Paraguays Raul Bobadilla. The 24-year-old met the clearance with a sweetly struck volley which flew into the bottom corner past the dive of Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar.
Paraguay, thrashed 6-1 by Argentina in the semi-finals, raised their game fleetingly and almost snatched an equaliser on 68 minutes only for striker Edgar Benitez to be denied by a superb block from Peru midfielder Carlos Ascues.
Perus win saw them repeat their third place finish from the 2011 Copa America.
Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero insisted that Argentina do not feel under special pressure as the prospect of ending the countrys 22-year wait for a major title loomed over Saturdays Copa America final against Chile.
Argentina have not won a senior tournament since victory in the 1993 Copa America, suffering a two-decade tale of disappointment that reached its climax with defeat in the World Cup final in Brazil last year.
Twelve months after that agonizing loss to Germany in Rio, Argentina are back in another final in Santiago against hosts Chile.
Aguero, who earlier in the tournament said Argentinas current golden generation would never forgive themselves if they failed to win a title, said Friday the team was relaxed about their latest tilt at glory.
Its true that for many years we have not won anything, Aguero told a press conference.
But we have many players with experience of winning titles, so the pressure is not a problem. We have a great opportunity to achieve our objectives and we are fortunate that football has allowed us to be in two finals in less than a year.
With the group of players we have, we have got to win a title and we are one step away from doing that. I hope that Argentina is always able to compete in finals.
Earlier, Chile enforcer Gary Medel believes the hosts will have to give a flawless defensive performance if they are to defeat Argentinas star-studded line-up in Saturdays Copa America final.
Argentina, spearheaded by their Fantastic Four of Lionel Messi, Javier Pastore, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria, arrive in the final brimming with confidence after thrashing Paraguay 6-1 in the semi-finals.
Inter Milan star Medel said while there were no plans to man-mark Messi, Chiles defence would need to be at its best if they wanted to help the team win a first Copa America crown.
We will have to produce a perfect game in defense, said Medel, whose rugged defending has seen him nicknamed Pitbull.
Medel meanwhile said Chile would also give Argentina plenty of food for thought.
We are in the final on merit, Medel said.
We have shown much more than other teams, and with Argentina, we have been the best team in the tournament.
Medel admitted Chiles players were driven by the prospect of ending 99 years of hurt. The Chileans have never won the Copa America.
