Lapadula inspires epic Peru comeback
Former AC Milan forward Gianluca Lapadula inspired Peru's comeback with a stunning five-minute performance in the second half.
Peru rallied from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw with Ecuador at the Copa America.
Ecuador was in control of the Group B contest against Peru – leading 2-0 at half-time in Goiania.
A Renato Tapia own goal had handed Ecuador a 1-0 lead after 23 minutes and Eduar Preciado doubled the advantage in the third minute of first-half stoppage time.
Peru – runner-up in 2019 – had entered the fixture knowing victory would see it through to the quarter-finals of CONMEBOL's showpiece tournament.
Former Milan forward Gianluca Lapadula inspired Peru's comeback with a stunning five-minute performance in the second half.
Lapadula scored his first international goal in the 49th minute to give hope to Peru – the only side to have progressed from all group stages in the Copa America since 1997.
The Italy-born Benevento forward then turned provider, teeing up Andre Carrillo for the equaliser five minutes later as Peru escaped with a point.
The result left Peru third in Group B on four points from three games, level with Colombia and two points behind defending champions Brazil, while Ecuador is fourth with two points from its three fixtures.