Foxborough (United States) (AFP) - The Copa America Centenario erupted into controversy on Sunday after a refereeing blunder sent Brazil crashing to a 1-0 defeat against Peru -- and out of the tournament. The defeat left Brazil struggling to digest their worst performance in the Copa America since 1987, the last occasion the five-time world champions failed to make it past the group stage.
Brazil, needing only a draw to qualify for the quarter-finals as winners of Group B, looked to be on course for a place in the last eight with 15 minutes to go against Peru. But a rare foray into Brazilian territory from Peru ended with Raul Ruidiaz bundling in Andy Polo's cross from the byline, appearing to use his arm to score.
Ruidiaz wheeled away to celebrate and Uruguayan referee Andres Cunha signalled for the goal. Brazil's players protested furiously, swarming around Cunha in a bid to persuade the official to reverse his decision. The protests appeared to have swayed Cunha, who looked to be frantically checking with the fourth official via his headpiece to determine whether the goal should stand.
Yet after a chaotic delay of around four minutes -- with players from both sides surrounding the referee -- Cunha ruled the goal should stand. Multiple replays from different angles, however, showed that Ruidiaz had used his arm to knock the ball into the net past Brazil keeper Alisson.
Brazil pressed forward in the final closing minutes in an attempt to find an equaliser that would take them through but it was to no avail. Elias squandered a golden chance from close range in injury time and Brazil's fate was sealed.
