SUBSTITUTE Raul Riudiaz’s hotly-disputed goal earned Peru a shock 1-0 win over Brazil in Foxborough on Sunday, the defeat knocking the five-time world champion out of the Copa America at the group stage.

    The Peruvian forward appeared to use his hand to score from close range with 16 minutes remaining and after a long delay while the referee consulted with his assistant while taking advice through an earpiece, he allowed the goal to stand.

    Television pictures showed Ruidiaz grinning after the goal had been awarded but the Brazilian players were apoplectic with rage at a decision that sent them tumbling out of the tournament before the knockout stages for the first time since 1987.

    “We saw that the ball hit his hand but you can’t complain,” Brazil center half Miranda told reporters. “(The referee) said he discussed it with four officials and that they didn’t see the handball.

    “Brazil tried from the first minute to score but the ball didn’t want to go in unfortunately, and that’s soccer. If you don’t score you pay for it.”

    The result lifted Peru to the top of Group B and eliminated Brazil, which dropped down to third place behind Ecuador.

    Following the conclusion of the first two groups in the 16-team competition, Peru will play Colombia in the quarterfinals in New Jersey on Friday, while the United States will take on Ecuador in Seattle a day earlier.

    Mexico, Venezuela and Argentina have already qualified from the other two groups with a match to play with either Chile or Panama joining them in the quarterfinals pending the result of their showdown.

    The loss was a harsh one for Brazil players, who knew a draw would have been enough to see them advance and were generally the better team without ever really threatening the Peruvian goal.

    Peru increased the tempo after a lacklustre first half and the controversial decider came after 74 minutes when Andy Polo whipped in a low cross that fell just behind the onrushing Ruidiaz inside the six-meter box.

    The Universitario player appeared to handle the ball into the net to the immediate anger of the Brazilian players, who surrounded the Uruguayan referee along with several Peruvians before the official opted to give the goal after a long delay.

    (SD-Agencies)