Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino saw Brazil beat Argentina 2-0 in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday night to advance to the final of the Copa America.
The Manchester City forward gave Tite’s team the lead after 19 minutes following a superb driving run by Dani Alves, the 22-year-old striker finding space at the far post to slot home a cross from Firmino to open the scoring in front of a noisy crowd at the Estadio Mineirao.
Jesus’ club colleague Sergio Aguero headed against the crossbar later in the half and Lionel Messi hit the post in the second period as Argentina sought a way back into the game.
But Brazil continued to look dangerous on the break and as Aguero went down in the box for what the Albiceleste believed should have been a penalty for a foul by Alves, the hosts stormed up field and netted the second when Jesus went clear and unselfishly laid the ball off for Firmino for an easier finish past Franco Armani after 71 minutes.
Argentina appealed for another penalty when Arthur clattered Nicolas Otamendi in the box, but nothing was given and they ended the mach with an array of attackers on the pitch as Angel Di Maria, Giovani Lo Celso and Paulo Dybala all came off the bench.
Brazil did not look threatened again, though, and the hosts have still not conceded a goal in this competition.
Tite’s team will meet either Chile or Peru in the final at the Maracana on Sunday, with the second semi-final to be played in Porto Alegre on Wednesday night.
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