Brazil will have to win Copa America the hard way as Neymar heads home
Team decides not to appeal star's ban; in much more difficult half of the draw
If Brazil are to win their fifth Copa America in seven editions, they are going to have to do it the hard way.
The South American super-power decided not to appeal a four-game ban handed to star striker and captain Neymar for violent conduct, meaning they will have to do without him for the knock-out stages.
What’s more, they are in a loaded draw that conspiracy theorists might be tempted to suggest had been fixed to help hosts Chile reach the final.
Argentina, Colombia and Brazil, the teams ranked third to fifth in the Fifa World rankings are all in the same side of the draw, while on the other side you find the likes of 61st ranked Peru up against 89th placed Bolivia.
In fairness, Chile (19th) are actually drawn in their quarter-final against the highest ranked team in their half, Uruguay, the defending champions ranked eighth.