The Peruvian squad huddles before the game against Bolivia. (Photo : Reuters)
Peru crushed surprise team Bolivia, 3-1, in their 2015 Copa America quarterfinal meeting at the Estadio Municipal Germán Becker in Temuco on Wednesday.
Flamengo striker Paolo Guerrero accomplished the tournament's first hat-trick by scoring at the 19th, 22nd, and 73rd-minute marks to propel La Blanquirroja to an almost insurmountable 3-0 lead late in the game.
Changchun Yatai striker Marcelo Martins Moreno managed to find the back of the net in the 83rd minute via a penalty kick to finally put the Bolivians on board, but Ricardo Gareca's wards would hold on to the advantage until the final whistle.
The Peruvian squad was relentless from the onset, pressuring the ball and constantly attacking the La Verde defense. Goalkeeper Romel Quiñónez was finally broken just before twenty minutes by Guerrero's header off a perfect cross pass from left back Juan Manuel Vargas. Three minutes later, he put in another one via a quick counter attack, this time from an assist by midfielder Christian Cueva, as per Daily Mail Online.
Another melee nearly happened in the second half when Peruvian goalie Pedro Gallese collided with Bolivian forward Ricardo Pedriel, which Colombian referee Wilmar Roldán decided for a no-call, as reported by Fox Sports. Mauricio Soria's men encircled the referee, but fortunately that was the extent of the altercation.
Roldán gave La Verde a break with a spot kick just minutes before full time. Moreno was able to score, but it proved to be a mere solace goal for Bolivia.
The victory schedules an interesting semifinal matchup with host nation Chile on Monday, June 29.
