Copa America 2021 preview – Peru
1609
Peru are ranked 27th in the world and will fancy their chances of emerging from Copa America Group B to make the knockout stages this summer.
The Peruvians are grouped with Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador.
On paper, Brazil and Colombia are the two strongest teams. It is likely that Peru will fight with Venezuela and Ecuador to finish third and fourth in the group.
The top four teams in Group B will progress to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Peru have a strong history in the Copa America with 16 top-four finishes. On two occasions, they won the tournament in 1939 and 1975. Can they win the Copa America once more?
2019 Copa America
Peru shocked the South American football world by reaching the final of the 2019 Copa America. They finished third in Group A with four points from 12 possible.
Peru ended behind Brazil and Venezuela in the group but caught fire in the knockout rounds.
Los Incas drew nil-nil in the quarterfinals versus Uruguay before winning 5-4 on penalties. In the semifinals they shocked Chile with a 3-0 win. Peru lost the final versus Brazil 3-1, but put a fright into Tite’s team.
Key Players
A lot of Peru’s team compete in Central and South America. The names may be familiar to football fans in the Americas, but not so much in Europe.
One of the most familiar names is that of captain Paolo Guerrero. Despite being 37, Guerrero is still a key player. He has scored 38 goals in 101 appearances for the national team.
Forward Gianluca Lapadula is one of the unique names on the squad list. The Italian-born forward joined up with Peru thanks to a family link.
He has played just twice for the team, but could break out for Los Incas this summer. Lapadula could be a wildcard.
Chances
Leading sportsbooks have Peru at odds of 40/1 to win the Copa America this summer. Los Incas have played well throughout their history at the Copa America.
They finished runners-up last time out after getting hot in the knockout rounds.
Peru scrapped through the group stage finishing third in Group A. They simply need to be one of the four best teams of the five in Group B.
If Peru can make it through the group, which is very possible, they could get hot again in the knockout rounds. However, it is possible they will play Uruguay, Chile, or Argentina in the quarterfinals.
Home
Football 
Basketball
Hockey
American Football
Baseball
Rugby
Volleyball
Handball
Esoccer
