Peru shocks defending champion Chile to score Copa America final spot
Peru reached its first major final since 1975 by overcoming Chile in Wednesday's Copa America semifinal.
Ricardo Gareca's side will take on Brazil in Sunday's showdown after goals from Edison Flores, Yoshimar Yotun, and Paolo Guerrero secured a 3-0 victory in Porto Alegre.
Eduardo Vargas had an opportunity to pocket a consolation from the penalty spot in the dying seconds but his Panenka attempt was easily stopped by Pedro Gallese.
The match started brightly, with Christian Cueva and Charles Aranguiz both guilty of not converting clear chances to put their respective team in the lead.
Flores wasn't wasteful when he infiltrated space down the left channel in the 21st minute. Chilean right-back Mauricio Isla was caught in a narrow position and Jose Pedro Fuenzalida was flat-footed after he initially tried to track back, so Flores was able to swing his left peg at Andre Carrillo's flick-on and find the bottom corner.
Gabriel Arias then went on a daring adventure 17 minutes later. The Racing Club goalkeeper - covering for regular Chile No. 1 Claudio Bravo - dashed out of his area and near the corner flag to try to thwart Carillo's right-wing run, but he failed and Yotun volleyed the subsequent cross through five red shirts.
Just as his manager was preparing to send out a search party, Arias was spotted, unhurriedly arriving at his post as the ball crossed the line and into an empty net.
It was 2-0 at halftime, and Peru deserved it.
Chile tried to channel its anger into a more purposeful performance in the second stanza and came close to halving the deficit in the 51st minute when Vargas' header hit the woodwork.
Peru threatened on the counter, though, and Yotun should've scored his second but concluded an explosive foray upfield with a tame effort over the bar.
Yotun was excellent throughout, Gallese displayed incredible athleticism between the sticks, and captain Guerrero confidently rounded Arias for Peru's third after magnificently leading the line for his country once again.
It was a famous 3-0 win, and one that was inconceivable when injured star Jefferson Farfan left the tournament two days after Peru was battered 5-0 by Brazil to conclude Group A.
Peru will be hoping for a very different scoreline this time around.