AFP
Los Angeles, US
Philippe Coutinho completed a hat-trick as Brazil routed Haiti 7-1 at the Copa America Centenario on Wednesday while Ecuador produced a gutsy fightback to thwart Peru's push for a quarter-final berth.
Coutinho conjured up the sort of form which made him one of Liverpool's most potent attackers in the Premier League last season as the Brazilians outclassed Haiti in the first ever competitive meeting of the two nations. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder grabbed his first two goals inside the first half hour of a one-sided Group B game at Orlando's Citrus Bowl in Florida. Coutinho then grabbed his third in the dying seconds of injury time, curling in a spectacular shot to complete a fine night's work.
Brazil, who had drawn 0-0 with Ecuador in a lacklustre opening game last weekend, now lead Group B on goal difference, level on four points with Peru, who were held 2-2 by the Ecuadorans elsewhere on Wednesday. Brazil manager Dunga was left purring with pleasure at the performance of Coutinho, who scored 12 goals in all competitions for Liverpool this season.
"He is really taking advantage of the opportunities he has been given," Brazil's 1994 World Cup-winning captain said. "We have talked quite a lot to him about being the 'Liverpool Coutinho' - to take the initiative, be a leading part of the team, all within his own style," added the coach.
Brazil's other goals came from Renato Augusto (2), teenage star Gabriel Barbosa and Lucas Lima. The goal-feast was a welcome return to potency for Brazil's attack against admittedly feeble opposition.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Ecuador frustrated Peru's hopes of sealing their quarter-final berth, fighting back from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw in Glendale, Arizona. A superb individual strike from West Ham's Enner Valencia and a second half effort from Brazil-based midfielder Miller Bolanos completed Ecuador's comeback.
The Ecuadorans had earlier been left reeling after falling 2-0 down inside the first 13 minutes. Peru, who had beaten Haiti in their opening game on Saturday, appeared to be cruising into the last eight after the early efforts from Christian Cueva and Edison Flores. But Ecuador's recovery leaves Group B evenly poised heading into the final round of games.
Brazil are in pole position likely needing only a draw against Peru to advance given their goal difference of plus six following their big win over Haiti. However Ecuador could conceivably sneak into the last eight with a big win over Haiti in the final game. Ecuador are third with two points from two games.
RESULTS
Group B: At Orlando, Florida - Brazil 7 (Coutinho 14, 29, 90+2, Augusto 35, 86 Gabriel 59, Lima 67), Haiti 1 (Marcelin 70); At Glendale, Arizona - Ecuador 2 (Valencia 39, Bolanos 48) Peru 2 (Cueva 5, Flores 13)
