CALIFORNIA, JUNE 5: BRAZIL played out a frustrating goalless draw with Ecuador in Copa America centennial football tournament night in both teams’ Group B opener here on Sunday.
Ecuador had an apparent goal disallowed by the referee in the 66th minute. Miler Bolanos’ cross was mishandled by Brazil goalkeeper Alisson at the near post and ended up in the back of the net, but it was ruled that the ball had passed the end line before the cross.
Brazil was close to the winner in the 83rd minute, but a header by Lucas went wide of the goal. The final whistle drew boos from the Rose Bowl stadium crowd.
Despite feeling like they could have picked up a win, Ecuador can take some solace in the result, as they had never beaten and forced only a single draw against eight-time champions Brazil in 13 previous Copa America matches.
Willian, who plays for Chelsea in England’s Premier League, was a catalyst for Brazil early in the match with his pace and crosses into the box. One had to be cleared over the top of the goal by Ecuador goalkeeper Esteban Dreer in the sixth minute.
After a yellow card to Brazil’s Elias, Ecuador’s Enner Valencia attempted a free kick in the 36th minute that Alisson saved for Brazil.
With superstar team-mate Neymar in attendance though not playing because he is bound to feature at the Olympics -- Brazil had 65 percent of the possession in the first half and completed 91 percent of its passes, yet the match was scoreless at halftime.
Group B action continues Wednesday when Ecuador faces Peru in Glendale, Arizona, and Brazil meets Haiti in Orlando.
Peru edge Haiti 1-0
SEATTLE (US), JUNE 5: Paolo Guerrero scored with a diving header in the 60th minute to give Peru a 1-0 win against Haiti in the Copa America Centenario football tournament Group B opener at the CenturyLink Field stadium.
Guerrero, the tournament’s highest goal scorer in 2011 and 2015, scored his 11th goal in the tournament and 27th of his career, passing Teofilo Cubillas to become Peru’s all-time leading scorer here on Saturday. Guerrero has 11 of Peru's last 20 goals in Copa America matches.
Peru are two-time Copa America champions. Haiti made their tournament debut in Sunday’s match.
Peru looked the stronger and more opportunistic team from the start with several forays into the Haiti goal area. But Haiti had an opportunity through a corner kick, the ball landing at the feet of Wilde-Donald Guerrier in the 26th minute, though he could not get a quality touch.
Flores’ shot hit the post in the 45th minute, Peru’s best chance before halftime. He also misfired in the 51st minute, missing an open net far post.
Renzo Revoredo’s right-footed toe poke in front of the goal was saved by Haiti’s Johnny Placide in the 59th minute, keeping the game goal-less. Guerrero’s goal came mere moments later.
Haiti got close in the 75th minute with chances to equalise, but Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese was up to the task.
Group B action continues Wednesday when Peru face Ecuador in Glendale, Arizona, and Haiti meet Brazil in Orlando.
Paraguay and Costa Rica battled to a goalless draw in their Group A opener, leaving each team with one point and second in the group behind Colombia in the Copa America centennial football tournament here.
Group leaders Colombia have three points after beating hosts the United States 2-0 earlier.
Paraguay had a slight edge in chances in the first half here on Saturday, while Costa Rica saw their best look come in the final 15 minutes. Costa Rica's centre back Kendall Waston was sent off deep into second half stoppage time for a reckless tackle on Paraguay substitute Nelson Valdez while halting a counterattack near midfield.
Paraguay remain unbeaten in their last 15 Copa America opening matches, dating back to a 0-1 loss to Colombia in 1975. They have won eight of the 15 unbeaten matches.
In a first half of few chances at the Camping World Stadium, Paraguay threatened twice from set pieces early, with Celso Ortiz’s left-footed service headed just wide by center back Paulo Da Silva in the 14th minute.
Costa Rica’s best chance of the opening exchanges came from a free-kick taken quickly by Joel Campbell in the 17th minute, but Bryan Ruiz’s header was straight at goalkeeper Justo Villar.
Late in the second half, Costa Rica produced long range shots but could not beat Villar, who finished with four saves.
Group A play continues on Tuesday, when Costa Rica face the US at the Soldier Field in Chicago and Paraguay take on Colombia at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
