Willian blow for Brazil

Brazil will be without Chelsea forward Willian when they take on Peru in the Copa America final in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

Willian, who was a late replacement in the Selecao squad for Neymar, featured in the 2-0 semi-final win over Argentina as a substitute but he won’t be involved in the final at the Maracana.

The 30-year-old had tests on Wednesday, which confirmed he had sustained a muscle injury. The Chelsea star has since taken to Twitter to express his disappointment at missing out and to offer his team-mates support.

He tweeted: “I can’t help my team-mates on the pitch on Sunday, but I’ll be supporting and helping in that they need to achieve our target!” Brazil are 1.30 to win Sunday’s final, a draw is 5.00 and Peru can be backed at 13.00.

The host nation thrashed Los Incas 5-0 in the group stages but Peru haven’t conceded since that heavy defeat, keeping clean sheets against Uruguay and Chile in the knockout stages.

A 5-0 win for Brazil is 26.00 and Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus is 4.00 to open the scoring. Brazil are bidding to win the Copa America for the first time since 2007.

Willian, who has scored one goal in four appearances at the Copa America, is head coach Tite’s only absentee for the final.