Coutinho’s hat trick leads Brazil to big win over Haiti in Copa

Brazil's Philippe Coutinho (22) celebrates after scoring a goal against Haiti. (John Raoux/AP)

ORLANDO, Fla. — Philippe Coutinho scored his first international hat trick, Renato Augusto had two goals and Brazil routed Haiti 7-1 Wednesday night in the Copa America.

Coutinho scored in the 14th and 29th minutes to build a 2-0 lead, then added a goal on a 20-yard drive in the second minute of second-half stoppage time. The Liverpool midfielder’s only previous goal for Brazil was against Mexico in an exhibition on June 7 last year.

Gabriel Barbosa and Lucas Lima also scored for Brazil in a scoreline that matched the devastating defeat for the Selecao in the 2014 World Cup semifinals against Germany at Belo Horizonte.

Before a crowd of 28,241, James Marcelin scored Haiti’s goal in the 69th.

Brazil leads Group B with four points and completes group play Sunday against Peru, which opened with a 1-0 win over Haiti. Ecuador, which tied Brazil 0-0, met Ecuador later Wednesday.

Ecuador rallies from 2 goals down to tie Peru

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Miller Bolanos scored the lone second-half goal and Ecuador rallied from a two-goal deficit to tie Peru 2-2 on Wednesday night in the Copa America.

Three minutes after halftime, Jefferson Montero and Christian Noboa connected on a give-and-go and Montero got behind the defence to find Bolanos in front of an empty net.

In the first half, Paolo Guerrero had two assists in the first 13 minutes for Peru. He played a through ball to Christian Cueva, who spun a defender and powered a shot into the net. Guerrero had a glancing header on a long free kick and Edison Flores rolled a shot inside the far post.

Ecuador pulled to 2-1 in the 39th when Enner Valencia trapped a chipped pass near the penalty spot and volleyed a shot.

Peru is tied atop the Group B standings with Brazil, which routed Haiti 7-1 earlier Wednesday. The teams will meet on Sunday to complete group play. Ecuador is two points back.

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