Chile frustrated after stop-start Copa America draw with Peru

Coach Ricardo Gareca lamented Chile’s inability to find their rhythm in Friday’s 0-0 Copa America draw with Peru, but stressed he was not concerned about his team’s chances to qualify for the round of 16.

Two-time champions Chile were slightly better during a heartbreaking and shoddy first half, while Peru had the better chances after the break, but neither team managed to find the breakthrough on a frustrating evening for players and fans.

The competition was littered with stoppages, with 37 fouls committed at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, while a number of injuries were also added to the interruptions.

“We tried to play, but Peru was very strong in their defense and they managed to break our game,” Gareca, who coached Peru from 2015 to 2022, told reporters.

“The referee allowed a lot of things for this type of game. So of course there were a lot of breaks, and it was difficult for us to create and find those chances.”

After the draw, Chile and Peru were left with one point each, trailing Group A leaders Argentina by two following the defending champions’ 2-0 victory over Canada on Thursday.

“We weren’t able to create a lot of plays and execute them. We were under a lot of pressure and sometimes we weren’t precise with our passes,” Gareca added.

“I’m not worried. I think it will be useful for us to analyze our game in order to improve our game.

“Of course we were hoping to win the game. But I think it’s very important that we can take a point and still have two games left.”

Peruvian coach Jorge Fossati praised the implementation of his team’s game plan, telling reporters: “It was a very important match for both teams. It was a very strategic and tactical match.

“We knew that if we gave the opponent some leeway, if we let them run and made them comfortable, we were giving them a tool or a weapon that could really hurt us.

“We were aggressive but I don’t think one team was more aggressive than the other. It was a balanced and fair match. But yes, I expected this level of interruption” in the match.

Chile will face group leaders Argentina in New Jersey on Tuesday, while Peru faces Canada in Kansas City.