Brazil rout Costa Rica 4-1; Paraguay, Chile draw
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-07-12 08:41

A treble from Inter Milan's Adriano helped world champions Brazil cruise to a 4-1 win over Costa Rica and seal a place in the Copa America quarter-finals.

Brazil went ahead on the stroke of halftime when their captain Alex conjured up a peach of a pass from the left wing which fell at the feet of Adriano waiting on the right side of the box.

Brazil's Adriano (R) celebrates with teammate Luis Fabiano after scoring a goal against Costa Rica in the first half of their match in the Copa America 2004, in Arequipa, Peru, July 11, 2004. [Reuters]

The Serie A striker controlled the ball well, fending off the Costa Rica keeper Ricardo Gonzalez to shoot left-footed high into an open goal.

Brazil doubled their lead five minutes after the break when Juan pounced on an error from Costa Rican defender Luis Marin, darting through a gap to slot the ball past Gonzalez and into the right hand side of the Costa Rican net.

Costa Rica's Walter Centeno (R) gets tangled up with Brazil's Edu while battling for the ball during the first half of their match in the Copa America 2004, in Arequipa, Peru, July 11, 2004. [Reuters]

Costa Rica almost pulled one back in the 53rd minute but Steven Bryce's close range shot was kept out by Julio Cesar's outstretched left arm.

Brazil's third came in the 54th minute when an error by Gonzalez allowed Adriano to head in off a corner from the left.

The unstoppable Italian-based attacker then bagged his hat-trick in the 67th minute with Marin securing a late consolation goal for Costa Rica.

The win left Brazil top of group C on six points after their opening 1-0 win over Chile and handed them a ticket into the last four.

Paraguay, who beat Costa Rica by the same margin in their opener, are in action against Chile later Sunday.

Paraguay draw 1-1 with Chile

Defender Ernesto Cristaldo scored a 79th-minute equalizer as Paraguay drew Chile 1-1 in Group C of the Copa America on Sunday.

Paraguay's Ernesto Cristaldo celebrates after scoring a goal against Chile in the second first half of their match in the Copa America 2004, in Arequipa, Peru, July 11, 2004. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. [Reuters]

Brazil leads the group with six points from two matches, followed by Paraguay with four and Chile with one. Winless Costa Rica trails with zero points.

Cristaldo's equalizer was a booming left-footer from way outside the box, giving no chance to Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

Striker Sebastian Gonzalez had put Chile ahead with a sliding shot from a sharp angle in the 71st minute after a left-flank cross by midfielder Mauricio Aros.

Chile, seeking its first Copa title, needs to beat Costa Rica in the last round to keep alive its hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals of the South American tournament.

Paraguay will play Brazil needing only a draw to reach the second stage.

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