Chile to face Peru in Copa America semis

Chile face Peru in the Copa America semi-finals on Monday in one of the fiercest rivalries in South American football, fueled by politics, border disputes and a 19th century war.

At a news conference on Sunday (June 28), coaches for both teams were optimistic about winning on the pitch.

“The match is very important because for us, as part of this group, as much as for the coaching staff to which I belong and the players, are all happy that Chile could be in the final at home with it’s people and all the happiness, knowing of the difficulties we have as well relating to our next rival (Peru) that is playing well and that has played great games against great teams,” said head coach Jorge Sampaoli.

In addition to playing a challenging Peruvian team Chile must contend with the suspension of Chile defender Gonzalo Jara who will miss the rest of the Copa America after being suspended for three matches for sticking his finger up an opponent’s backside and feigning injury during a match.

CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, said in a statement it was suspending Jara for “unsporting behaviour”. It also fined the Chilean FA $7,500.

“We are managing some alternatives in our game that will allow for us to replace him,” said Sampaoli.

The traditional animosity between the two Andean neighbours dates from the War of the Pacific in the 1880s, which Chile fought against the combined forces of Peru and Bolivia.

The Chileans won it and annexed a swathe of Peruvian land which they have held ever since.

Looking at Monday’s game through that lens it is not surprising that player Angelo Henriquez referred to it as a “duel.”

“They are going to play for their lives and we too will play for our lives,” he said. “We are fighting to play in the final of the Copa America and the duel will be like that.”

As recently as last year the two countries settled a long-standing maritime border dispute. Peru took Chile to the International Court of Justice at The Hague and forced the Chileans to hand over more than 20,000 square km of sea.

The two nations are still wrangling over a tiny triangle of land on their common border. It is under Chilean control but the Peruvians say it is theirs.

The rivalry has often spilled over into “the Classic of the Pacific”, as the football fixture is known.

When Peru came to Santiago for a World Cup qualifier in 1997 the home fans drowned out the Peruvian national anthem with whistles.

Chile won 4-0 thanks to a Marcelo Salas hat-trick but after scoring his third goal he almost came to blows with Peru goalkeeper Julio Cesar Balerio.

In another match in 1986, Chile raced into a 3-0 lead within the first 15 minutes thanks to some dreadful goalkeeping from Peru’s Eusebio Acasuzo.

He was substituted to jeers from Chile’s fans who shouted “Acasuzo for president!” He never played for Peru again.

In 1977 the Chileans went to Lima with both sides looking to secure a place at the World Cup in Argentina the following year.

The Peruvians won 2-0 and qualified while the Chileans missed out. Peru’s military dictator Francisco Morales ran on to the pitch to lead his country’s celebrations.

In recent years bilateral relations have improved.

There is a large Peruvian community in Chile and the Chileans have significant investments in Peru. Both countries have joined forces in a new trade bloc, the Pacific Alliance.

At Sunday’s news conference Peru’s coach Ricardo Gareca waxed poetic about Chile’s abilities but never wavered as to his team’s ability to win.

“I think that Chile has players with some standing so that they can replace anyone missing if that might happen just as we can,” said Gareca. “As we are, we are fine.”

Peruvian player Carlos Zambrano said the key was outplaying Chile.

“We will do our jobs as well as possible and focus on what we need to do and counter Chile’s attacks, it is a team, honestly, that has good football.”