<p class="bodytext">An Ecuador side fighting to keep their Copa America hopes alive managed to hold a previously perfect Brazil -- playing without a resting Neymar -- to a 1-1 draw Sunday and reach the quarter-finals.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Peru meanwhile defeated Venezuela 1-0 in the other Group B match to send the Covid-decimated "Vinotinto" team packing from the South American championships.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Seeking to extend a 10-match winning streak, Brazil came out pressuring in Goiania on the group's final matchday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Coach Tite opted to rest Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar, but the "Selecao" still dominated the first half.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A free kick in the 37th minute set up Eder Militao, who headed the ball at a sharp angle into the top right corner of the net, well clear of Ecuador keeper Hernan Galindez's outstretched arm.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But facing the specter of an early exit, Ecuador came out fighting in the second half.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They got the equalizer in the 53rd minute, as Brazil tried to clear a corner kick.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Enner Valencia managed to head it back the other way, setting up Angel Mena, who sprinted in to fire the ball past Brazil's Alisson.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We played a good first half where we managed to impose our style of play. The first half was much better than the second," said Brazil defender Marquinhos.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Now we're in the decisive part, the knock-out stage, so we have to work on playing our best football for the full match."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Peru meanwhile finished the group stage on a high note after a spectacular turnaround.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Incas opened the tournament with a 4-0 thrashing by Brazil.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But they went on to defeat Colombia, then battle back from 2-0 down against Ecuador Wednesday to secure a draw.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They added three more points Sunday thanks to Andre Carrillo, who capitalized on Venezuela's clumsy failure to clear a corner in the 48th minute in Brasilia.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Peru shouldn't give up what we've been working on. I think we've shown our ability to fight back throughout the Copa America," said Argentine coach Ricardo Gareca.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Brazil finished the group stage as heavy favourites with 10 points from four matches -- three points clear of runners-up Peru in Group B.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Colombia finished third with four points and Ecuador fourth with three.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Venezuela joined Group A side Bolivia as the two teams eliminated from the group stage.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Group A have one more round of matches Monday, when Uruguay play Paraguay and Bolivia face Argentina.</p>.<p class="bodytext">With the final eight already decided, the real stakes will be deciding whether Chile or Uruguay face defending champions Brazil in the quarter-finals.</p>
<p class="bodytext">An Ecuador side fighting to keep their Copa America hopes alive managed to hold a previously perfect Brazil -- playing without a resting Neymar -- to a 1-1 draw Sunday and reach the quarter-finals.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Peru meanwhile defeated Venezuela 1-0 in the other Group B match to send the Covid-decimated "Vinotinto" team packing from the South American championships.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Seeking to extend a 10-match winning streak, Brazil came out pressuring in Goiania on the group's final matchday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Coach Tite opted to rest Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar, but the "Selecao" still dominated the first half.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A free kick in the 37th minute set up Eder Militao, who headed the ball at a sharp angle into the top right corner of the net, well clear of Ecuador keeper Hernan Galindez's outstretched arm.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But facing the specter of an early exit, Ecuador came out fighting in the second half.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They got the equalizer in the 53rd minute, as Brazil tried to clear a corner kick.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Enner Valencia managed to head it back the other way, setting up Angel Mena, who sprinted in to fire the ball past Brazil's Alisson.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We played a good first half where we managed to impose our style of play. The first half was much better than the second," said Brazil defender Marquinhos.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Now we're in the decisive part, the knock-out stage, so we have to work on playing our best football for the full match."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Peru meanwhile finished the group stage on a high note after a spectacular turnaround.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Incas opened the tournament with a 4-0 thrashing by Brazil.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But they went on to defeat Colombia, then battle back from 2-0 down against Ecuador Wednesday to secure a draw.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They added three more points Sunday thanks to Andre Carrillo, who capitalized on Venezuela's clumsy failure to clear a corner in the 48th minute in Brasilia.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Peru shouldn't give up what we've been working on. I think we've shown our ability to fight back throughout the Copa America," said Argentine coach Ricardo Gareca.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Brazil finished the group stage as heavy favourites with 10 points from four matches -- three points clear of runners-up Peru in Group B.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Colombia finished third with four points and Ecuador fourth with three.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Venezuela joined Group A side Bolivia as the two teams eliminated from the group stage.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Group A have one more round of matches Monday, when Uruguay play Paraguay and Bolivia face Argentina.</p>.<p class="bodytext">With the final eight already decided, the real stakes will be deciding whether Chile or Uruguay face defending champions Brazil in the quarter-finals.</p>