Striker Paolo Guerrero scored three goals and set up another as Peru defeated Venezuela 4-1 to finish third in the Copa America. Guerrero set up William Chiroque's goal in the 42nd minute on Saturday, then got his hat trick with goals in the 64th, 89th and two minutes into stoppage time.
Venezuela pulled one back through Juan Fernando Arango in the 77th, but it could not overcome going a man down in the 58th when midfielder Tomas Rincon was sent off for a hard sliding tackle.
Uruguay and Paraguay will play the final on Sunday. The fourth-place finish remains Venezuela's best result in the Copa America. Its surprising run ended with a loss on penalties to Paraguay in the semifinals.
Peru, which was the worst team in South American World Cup qualifying just a year ago, was the other surprise of the South American championship. They finished third despite the absence of its top two forwards, Jefferson Farfan and Claudio Pizarro.
Batista faces axe
Coach Sergio Batista faces the chop after his side's Copa America flop after Argentine Football Association (AFA) sources indicated he was losing support, media reports suggested Friday.
“Batista is more out than in,” the national news agency Telam quoted an AFA member as saying, while broadaster C5N said: “His days are numbered.” The media speculated that Batista, whom the AFA confirmed as being safe for now only last Monday, had lost the support of committee members and forecast a decision would be made Monday in advance of an official announcement Tuesday. The committee will meet Monday afternoon in Buenos Aires.
{{/usCountry}}“Batista is more out than in,” the national news agency Telam quoted an AFA member as saying, while broadaster C5N said: “His days are numbered.” The media speculated that Batista, whom the AFA confirmed as being safe for now only last Monday, had lost the support of committee members and forecast a decision would be made Monday in advance of an official announcement Tuesday. The committee will meet Monday afternoon in Buenos Aires.
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