Despite dismissal of Gabriel Jesus during the match, Brazil won the Copa America on home soil for the first time since 2007 with a 3-1 victory over Peru.
Jesus scored the decisive goal after a penalty from Peru captain Paolo Guerrero canceled out Everton's opener for hosts Brazil at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium. A last minute penalty from substitute Richarlison sealed a win for Brazil which handed the South American giants their ninth Copa triumph. "I gave everything I had today," said Everton, who was voted player of the final and also finished as one of the tournament's top scorers with three goals.
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Jesus's evening went sour 20 minutes from time as he was sent off for a second booking. The Manchester City striker was in tears as he left the field, making obscene hand gestures, angrily kicking a water bottle and almost knocking over the VAR booth.
Brazil's players rallied after the dismissal, however, to claim a battling victory. "It's really special because we built something together," enthused captain Dani Alves.
Earlier, underdogs Peru made a confident start and didn't appear overawed by either their opponents or the occasion. But it quickly became apparent that they were up against more accomplished players. "It was a game in which they took advantage of our mistakes and turned them all into goals," said Peru's Edison Flores.
(With agency inputs)
