Following a 5-0 rout in the final game of Group A, Brazil marched onto the quarterfinals while Peru was left relying on other results going its way. Going its way they did and despite winning just one game, Los Incas qualified for the quarterfinals as the best of the third-ranked teams.
To say Peru made the most of its lifeline would be an understatement. Ricardo Gareca’s men eliminated Uruguay on penalties in the quarterfinals, before ending Chile’s hopes of a third continental crown in a row on Wednesday night with an impressive 3-0 win.
“We’ve come through some tough moments in the Copa and we deserve to be in the final,” Gareca said in a press conference after the semifinal.
The reward is a first Copa America final appearance since 1975, with Los Incas taking on the hosts on Sunday afternoon.
While Peru is chasing history, Brazil’s approach to the final will be a lot more prosaic. Aside from the Confederations Cup in 2009 and 2013 the Selecao has not won a major trophy in 12 years and anything but a win on Sunday would spark nationwide inquest over the state of the national team.
The omens are good for Brazil, who knocked out arch-rival Argentina with a 2-0 win in the semifinals and is yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
The history books also provide comfort for Brazil, who have won the Copa America in each of the four occasions it has hosted the tournament.
The hosts, however, will be without Willian in the final after the Chelsea midfielder suffered a muscle injury.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Sunday.
When and where is the game?
The Copa America final is scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 7 at the Estadio Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
One of the most famous stadiums in the world, the Maracana has hosted the World Cup final in 1950 and 2014 as well as the Copa America final in 1989 and the gold medal match at the 2016 Olympics.
TV channel
The final will be broadcast by ESPN+ with coverage in English and Portuguese, while Telemundo will broadcast it in Spanish.
Live stream
The final will be available to be streamed via ESPN+ and Telemundo digital platforms. Live streams will also be available on fuboTV, Sling Blue, Hulu Live and PlayStation Vue.
Odds
To nobody’s surprise Brazil is the overwhelming favorite to lift the trophy at 1/4, while Peru is a 5/1 shot.
The Selecao plays at home and has thrashed Peru 5-0 in the group stages and while Los Incas have defied expectations so far, upsetting the hosts on home soil looks a step too far.
The last two editions of the Copa America have ended in a penalty shootout but bookmakers expect Brazil to get the job done in 90 minutes. According to Oddschecker, the Selecao is 4/11 to win in regulation, while the draw is at 17/4 and Peru is an 11/1 outsider.
