Coach praises Peru's gritty response

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil - Peru coach Ricardo Gareca praised his squad for overcoming adversity after it reached the Copa America final with a 3-0 win over defending champion Chile on Wednesday.

Peru was completely transformed from the meek outfit that was thrashed 5-0 by Brazil in its final group-stage match as goals from Edison Flores, Yoshimar Yotun and Paolo Guerrero carried it to the final for the first time since 1975.

"We've come through some tough moments in the Copa and we deserve to be in the final," said the Argentine coach.