This year's Copa America is a tournament where video support for referees (VAR) is really busy. After 11 matches, statistics show that VAR spends a total of nearly 40 minutes of the matches for the referee to handle the situation.
VAR brings transparency to the matches, however, not every team is satisfied with VAR's intervention. In Group A, Peru and Brazil were "victims" of VAR in their matches against Venezuela. Brazil missed the opportunity to qualify early for the quarter-finals, when they were held to a draw by Venezuela in the second match. A match in which Selecao had 3 goals but were all denied. 2 of them come from VAR technology.
The wave of criticism of Coach Tite also gradually increased after this match. Many fans demanded that this strategist resign. Coach Tite was criticized for lacking courage in his change of players. He did not dare to take any risks to find a goal. The audience no longer saw the team perform beautiful and spontaneous play. Selecao now has a rough, stationary style of play and lost creativity.
Therefore, Coach Tite is under a lot of pressure. Against Peru, Brazil needs a big win to calm the anger of fans. However, that task is not easy. The opponent does not have a strong strength, but is unlikely to be bullied.
Both Peru and Brazil have 4 points (both won against Bolivia), so instead of being left unused in the final match with a ticket in hand, they have to face off to decide the top spot. With 3 points, of course, the winner will take the top spot. But things will be more complicated if they are unable to decide on a win or lose, while in the match at the same time, Venezuela beat Bolivia.
At that time, the 3 teams will have 5 points and according to the regulations of the Organizing Committee, the goal difference will decide the position of the teams. Brazil (3 goals), Peru (3 goals, 1 goal conceded), Venezuela have not scored and have not conceded.
In case Venezuela wins by 3 goals and the Peru - Brazil match has no goals, Brazil and Venezuela will have to use the fair-play index to decide the top spot. Even to the point of having to draw lots.
That possibility is not easy to happen but not impossible. Therefore, coaches Gareca and Tite will have to make the best decisions for this decisive match to gain an advantage. Of course, with a history of confrontations, Peru is not rated as highly as the home team, but it should be remembered that the only win they have against Brazil in their recent 18 confrontations came in the Copa America 2016 tournament. That was a tournament in which Selecao left the tournament without going through the group stage.
Peru has no reason to change the lineup after a 3-1 victory over Bolivia. Their problem is to focus more on chasing their opponents, which Brazil are clearly at another level so they can come back.
On the Brazilian side, coach Tite is likely to change again. Arthur Melo's return will push Fernandinho back to the bench to avoid costing defensive personnel when controlling the ball. David Neres will have to make way for Everton Soares after an ambitious performance.
Brazil's 34 goals in 17 matches against Peru in Copa America may be a reference at this time, because in addition to Los Incas, Brazil also have to play against... VAR. Therefore, this match will be very unpredictable. The match between Peru and Brazil will take place at 2:00 a.m. on June 23
