Brazil reaches Copa America final for 2nd time running

Reigning champion Brazil is back in the Copa America final after Monday's 1-0 semifinal win over Peru at the Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Lucas Paqueta's composed first-half finish decided the contest.

Peru put in a much more determined performance than it did two weeks ago when it allowed four goals to Brazil in a lopsided group-stage encounter.

The Selecao will now face either Argentina or Colombia at the Maracana Stadium on Saturday for a chance to win a second consecutive South American title.

Tite's side set the tone early Monday, controlling as much as 65% possession in the opening half-hour. Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese kept his team in it with a miraculous double save on shots from point-blank range in the 19th minute.

But Brazil's persistence paid off in the 35th minute.

Star attraction Neymar collected the ball in the final third and dribbled past three defenders before teeing up Paqueta, who struck the ball off a bad bounce to score his second goal of the tournament.

Peru responded in the second half - striker Gianluca Lapadula tested Brazilian shot-stopper Ederson with a strike across goal in the 49th minute - but lacked composure in front of goal.

Brazil, which beat Peru without Neymar to win the 2019 Copa America, is now looking for a 10th continental title. That would still place the country well short of Uruguay's record 15 South American championships.