Brazil’s Nightmare Continues, Thanks To Possible Illegal Goal In Copa America

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazilians on Monday mourned the latest blow to their demoralized, recession-hit nation: their elimination from the Copa America football tournament, which raised questions about the future of national coach Dunga.

Brazil’s players protested furiously, swarming around Cunha in a bid to persuade the official to reverse his decision.

A handball goal by Peru has seen Brazil knocked out of the Copa America in controversial circumstances.

The Copa America referees have access to goal-line technology but not standard instant replay, meaning Cunha would not have gotten a chance to review the goal from above. He deflected the ball into the net, and Brazil keeper Alisson immediately complained the ball also made contact with Ruidiaz’s hand.

Brazilian media speculated that Dunga would be replaced by Tite, coach of Sao Paulo side Corinthians.

It was the first time in almost three decades that Brazil had been eliminated from the Copa América in the group phase.

Peru will now play Colombia in the quarter-finals after finishing top of Group B. “The team was not eliminated by anything to do with football”, he added, criticising the lengthy deliberations between the match officials which held up the game. Brazil needed to win or draw to go to the next round while Peru’s only option was to win.

Meanwhile, Ecuador dumped Haiti, 4-0, in Group B’s final round game at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday, ESPN reported.

They had started their 2016 Copa America campaign with a goalless draw with Ecuador before thrashing Haiti 7-1.

Four different players scored a goal each for manager Gustavo Quinteros’ squad, namely Enner Valencia, Jaime Ayovi, Christian Noboa, and Antonio Valencia at the 11th, 20th, 57th, and 78th minutes respectively to complete the Yellows’ four-goal haul.

Brazil were playing this year’s event without Barcelona star Neymar, who was cleared by his club to take part in the Olympic tournament but not the Copa.