Copa America: Guerrero’s Hat-Trick Help Peru Setup SF Showdown With Chile

Flamengo striker Paolo Guerrero scored a hat-trick stirring Peru to a 3-1 victory over Bolivia on Thursday in Copa America.

Guerrero opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a header that passed over the reaching hands of Bolivia goalkeeper Romel Quinonez. The Brazilian-based striker was left unmarked and netted the first goal after a perfectly placed cross from Juan Manuel Vargas breaking the deadlock of the first period.

Three minutes later, Guerrero grabbed the second score for Peru on the counter-attack with midfielder Christian Cueva supplying the pass. The Peruvian international threatened the hopes of Bolivia, who had only managed one win against Peru in their eight Copa America matches, in as early as 23 minutes in the opening match.

The 31-year old veteran, who played for Bayern Munich, completed the hat-trick in the 74th minute mark and sealed the win after intercepting a pass from Danny Bejarano sliding the ball low to the right side of Quinonez, who did not have much chance in stopping Guerrero’s onslaught. Bolivia sparked a small opportunity of survival in the 31st minute mark but a close-range attack from Bolivian-Swedish footballer Martin Smedberg-Dalence was saved by Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. Bolivia head coach Mauricio Soria’s squad did not let the game end to three-nil as the Bolivians nailed a consolation goal in the dying minutes from a penalty kick.

“We’re getting better and better. Not many people had much confidence in us before this tournament but once again we’re showing that we’re a good side," Guerrero said via the Guardian.

With the win, Peru secured a semi-finals match against tournament host Chile to be staged on Monday, which will display the latest series of the two nations’ footballing rivalry that began in 1935. Both teams also fought a long-running legal battle over the two nation’s disputed maritime border.

Guerrero, who finished as the top scorer in the previous Copa America, levelled with Chile and Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal on three goals getting him near to finish the tournament as top scorer again. The Predator might need to unleash his beastly performance again when they face a dangerous Chilean squad led by Vidal.