Peru battle back to draw 2-2 with Ecuador in Copa America
Sports Desk, Jun 23 (EFE).- Peru trailed Ecuador 2-0 at half-time in Wednesday’s Copa America Group B match in Goiania, Brazil, but rebounded with two goals to secure a draw that leaves the Inca side in third place and with a good chance to reach the quarterfinals.
Ecuador, who would end the game with 58 percent possession, took the lead in the 23rd minute on an own goal charged to Peru defender Renato Tapia.
Ayrton Preciado doubled the advantage for Ecuador deep in first-half stoppage time, pouncing on a loose ball in the area and drilling it past Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
It was Preciado’s second goal of the tournament, matching Chilean striker Eduardo Vargas and Paraguay’s Angel Romero.
Peru made a strong start to the second half and Italian-born Gianluca Lapadula halved the deficit with a goal in the 49th minute, assisted by Christian Cueva.
Lapadula went on to set up former Benfica man Andre Carrillo’s equalizer in the 54th minute.
The Peruvians improved to 4 points from three matches, level with second-place Colombia, but the Cafeteros have a better goal difference.
Ecuador are fourth with 2 points. EFE
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