Claudio Pizarro scored an emphatic winner for Peru against 10-man Venezuela, keeping alive his side’s chances of making the Copa America quarter-finals. 

Venezuela dominated much of the first half, but were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of defender Fernando Amorebieta after just 30 minutes for a stamp on Paolo Guerrero.

And with a man advantage Peru took control. Ricardo Gareca’s side struggled to break down Venezuela, even with their man advantage, but finally found the breakthrough after 71 minutes when Pizarro smashed home a finish off the underside of the bar following a neat pass through by Guerrero.

TALKING POINT - With two games played each, Group C is on a knife-edge

Venezuela had the chance to put one foot in the quarter-finals with a victory over Peru, following on from their victory over Colombia. However, Peru’s win means that all four teams in Group C - Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela - all have three points each heading into the last round of fixtures. It’s all up for grabs and there could be some big-name casualties.

MAN OF THE MATCH - Claudio Pizarro

The striker is without a club having left Bayern Munich at the end of last season, after going an entire season without scoring a goal, but for Peru he is still a leader and proved himself a very able replacement for the injured Jefferson Farfan. Pizarro was impressive throughout, and took his goal really well - smashing a finish in off the underside of the crossbar with aplomb.

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