Classy Brazil crush Peru to reach Copa last eight

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Group A - Peru v Brazil - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - June 22, 2019 Brazil's Roberto Firmino, Willian and Gabriel Jesus after the match.REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil overwhelmed Peru with three goals in a superb first half to set up a crushing 5-0 victory on Saturday and cruise into the Copa America quarter-finals.

Looking like their imperious old selves in front of 42,000 fans at the Corinthians area, the host nation went ahead after 12 minutes when Casemiro nodded home after a goalmouth scramble and Roberto Firmino made it two seven minutes later after keeper Pedro Gallese made a hash of his kick out.