LA PLATA, Argentina (AP) ― Luis Suarez scored in the 53rd and 58th minutes to lead Uruguay past Peru 2-0 on Tuesday and into the Copa America final.
Uruguay, which reached the semifinals of last year’s World Cup, will be looking for a record-15th Copa America title in Sunday’s final against either Paraguay or Venezuela, which meet in the other semifinal Wednesday in Mendoza. The final will be played Sunday in Buenos Aires.
Uruguay players celebrate after beating Peru. (AP-Yonhap News)
Peru, which was the worst team in South American World Cup qualifying just a year ago, has been one of the surprises of the South American championship and has played without its top two forwards Jefferson Farfan and Claudio Pizarro.
Suarez added some spark after a disappointing first half of few chances and little sustained possession.
“The first half was tough because we knew Peru would be very defensive,” Liverpool striker Suarez said. “We had to try to take advantage of some chance to score. The goal in the first few minutes was a big blow to Peru.”
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez took Suarez off after the two goals, saving him for Sunday.
“It is one thing with Suarez, it is another without him in the final,” Tabarez said. “He (Suarez) is a great forward, an elite player among forwards in the world. ... He often determines the outcome as he did today.”