Peru reach Copa America semifinal
June 26, 2015
Former Bayern Munich and Hamburg player Guerrero scored twice in quick succession during the first half of Thursday's match, putting Peru firmly in the driving seat.
Guerrero, who has spent the past three years in Brazil after spells with the German Bundesliga sides, grabbed his first goal in the 20th minute, timing it just right to head home a cross past Bolivia keeper Romel Quinonez.
The second came just three minutes later as Guerrero pounced onto an overhead ball from midfielder Christian Cueva that bypassed the Bolivian defense, lashing the ball in to make it 2-0.
The 31-year-old completed his hat trick in the 74th minute, eluding the Bolivian defense to fire home, after opposition midfielder Danny Bejarano gave him the ball through a misplaced pass.
Moreno saves blushes
While the Bolivians did pull back a consolation goal, Marcelo Moreno scoring from the penalty spot after Damian Lizio was tripped in the box, Peru emerged as the easy winners after 90 minutes.
"We're getting better and better," said Guerrero. "Not many people had much confidence in us before this tournament, but once again we're showing that we're a good side."
Chile - who beat Uruguay 1-0 on Wednesday - will now be hosts to Peru in Santiago on Monday, in the first of the Copa semifinals.
In the other two quarterfinals, Argentina play Colombia on Friday and Brazil face Paraguay on Saturday.
rc/ksb (Reuters, AFP)