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Chile Frustrated after Stop-Start Copa America Draw with Peru

Chile midfielder Erick Pulgar reacts after the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 group A match between Peru and Chile, in Arlington, Texas, USA, 21 June 2024. (EPA)
Chile midfielder Erick Pulgar reacts after the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 group A match between Peru and Chile, in Arlington, Texas, USA, 21 June 2024. (EPA)
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Chile Frustrated after Stop-Start Copa America Draw with Peru

Chile midfielder Erick Pulgar reacts after the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 group A match between Peru and Chile, in Arlington, Texas, USA, 21 June 2024. (EPA)
Chile midfielder Erick Pulgar reacts after the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 group A match between Peru and Chile, in Arlington, Texas, USA, 21 June 2024. (EPA)

Coach Ricardo Gareca lamented Chile's inability to find their rhythm in a stop-start 0-0 Copa America draw with Peru on Friday, but he stressed he was not concerned about his side's chances of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Two-times champions Chile were the slightly better team in a bruising first half that was low on quality, while Peru had the best opportunities after the break, but neither side was able to find the breakthrough on a frustrating night for players and fans.

The contest was littered with stoppages, with 37 fouls committed at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, while a number of injuries also added to the interruptions.

"We tried to play, but Peru were very strong in their defense and they were able to break up our game," Gareca, who coached Peru from 2015-2022, told reporters.

"The referee allowed a lot for that type of play. So of course, there were a lot of breaks, and it was tough for us to create and to come up with these opportunities."

After the draw, Chile and Peru were left with a point each, trailing Group A leaders Argentina by two after the defending champions' 2-0 win over Canada on Thursday.

"We were not able to create many plays and execute them. We were under a lot of pressure and sometimes we were not accurate in our passes," Gareca added.

"I'm not concerned. I think this will be useful for us to analyze our game to improve our game.

"We of course hoped to win the match. But I think it's very important that we're able to take a point and we still have two matches ahead of us."

Peru's coach Jorge Fossati lauded his team's execution of their game plan, telling reporters: "This was a very relevant match for both teams. It was a very strategic and tactical game.

"We knew that if we gave some leeway to the opponent, if we let them run and made them feel comfortable, it was giving them a tool or a weapon that could really hurt us.

"We were aggressive but I don't think one team was more aggressive than the other. It was an even and fair game. But yes, I did expect this level of interruption" in the match.

Chile next face group leaders Argentina in New Jersey on Tuesday, while Peru take on Canada in Kansas City.

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For Olympic Athletes Soaked by Rain at the Opening Ceremony, Getting Sick Isn’t a Concern

United States' Coco Gauff and Lebron James travel along the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)
United States' Coco Gauff and Lebron James travel along the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)
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For Olympic Athletes Soaked by Rain at the Opening Ceremony, Getting Sick Isn’t a Concern

United States' Coco Gauff and Lebron James travel along the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)
United States' Coco Gauff and Lebron James travel along the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)

The Olympians were wet for hours. For some, it didn't matter. Others had to navigate the unexpected conditions and make the most of it.

Athletes from around the world paraded on boats in rain-soaked uniforms for Friday's soggy opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The four-hour event on the Seine River went on despite rain throughout the evening, ranging from light showers to intense downpours.

It made for less than ideal conditions for athletes preparing to begin intense competition across Paris. A few events, including soccer and rugby sevens, began days before the opening ceremony, but much of the action got underway Saturday. Skateboarding, originally set to open Saturday, was postponed because of the rain.

Technically, standing in the rain and cold alone isn't what makes people sick. Being in those conditions for long periods of time can affect the immune system, though. Which is why Austrian marathon swimmer Jan Hercog said Friday he was taking vitamin C and other supplements to get through the ceremony.

Athletes from some countries had no concerns at all. They grabbed umbrellas and ponchos, and their show went on.

“I waited until a little bit into the rain (before putting on the poncho), so I was pretty wet when I put it on, but that’s OK,” Spain women's basketball player Megan Gustafson said. “It was still fun.”

At the end of practice Saturday in Villneuve-d’Ascq, where the Olympics are playing the group stage for basketball, Gustafson said the rain was not an issue during the ceremony even if the ponchos messed with staying fashionable.

Gustafson, 27, also wasn’t worried about catching a cold on the verge of her Olympic debut. Spain, which finished sixth in Tokyo after winning silver at the 2016 Rio Games, opens group play for the women Sunday against China at Pierre Mauroy Stadium.

“The weather was relatively warm and the rain wasn’t super cold or anything, so I felt comfortable,” Gustafson said. “I don’t think any of my teammates are sick, so we’re all right.”

The United States women's basketball team left the ceremony early and got on their buses from Paris back to Lille.

“It was raining. I don’t know if you guys saw,” WNBA star A'ja Wilson deadpanned. “A little weather issue. I wasn’t really into everything as much as I wanted to be.”

Maksym Cheberiaka, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Olympic Committee, said that Ukrainian athletes didn’t have any health concerns because of the rain. Those who had competitions scheduled for Saturday either didn’t participate or left the ceremony early.

US flag bearers LeBron James and Coco Gauff wore the clear plastic ponchos to protect their matching white jackets. They were smiling and laughing, but they were drenched.

“A phenomenal experience, obviously, to be there with my fellow Olympians,” James said. “I was representing the red, white and blue, I was representing our country. It’s very humbling and an honor to be part of that group, all the athletes from all the different states and cities all around America. And just being on one boat and representing us for the start of the games, it was a true honor.”

Fellow basketball Olympian Kevin Durant, who could join James in the team's Olympic opener Sunday, posted a photo of himself in the US outfit for the opening — navy blazer, button-down shirt, denim jeans — on Instagram with the caption “Whole outfit soaked but we here.”

“We were soaking,” James said. “If you saw KD’s post, he was not telling any fibs. We were pretty drenched when we got back to the hotel.”

US men’s coach Steve Kerr wasn’t at the opening ceremony. That means he stayed dry.

“I was watching on TV seeing all the rain,” Kerr said. “This isn’t ideal, but I think it’ll be an experience and a memory that these guys will have for life that will far exceed the inconvenience of the rain.”