Brazil and Venezuela advanced to the Copa America quarter finals on Saturday after convincing victories over Peru and Bolivia respectively. Just days after failing to prevail against Venezuela, a Neymar-less Brazil crushed Peru 5-0 in Sao Paulo, securing the leading spot in Group A. Casemiro opened the scoring for the hosts with a header in the 12th followed seven minutes later by Roberto Firmino, who took advantage of a bad clearance by Peruvian keeper Pedro Gallese. Everton Soares added a third in the 32nd with a low strike from outside the penalty area, followed by Dani Alves in the 53rd and Willian in the 90th. Gabriel Jesus failed to give the Selecao a sixth as Gallese saved his penalty kick deep into injury time. Venezuela meanwhile beat Bolivia 3-1 in a convincing performance in Belo Horizonte. A header by Darwin Marchis put the Vinotintos ahead in the second minute. The striker then bagged a second from the top of the penalty box in the 55th. Bolivia got one back with Leonel Justiniano in the 82nd, but his side's dreams of a comeback were trumped four minutes later by substitute Josef Martinez. Brazil will now play one of the two third-placed teams at the Gremio arena on Thursday, while Venezuela will face Group B's second-placed team. With four points Peru may also qualify as one of the best third-placed sides.
