Copa America 2015: Sunday's Day 11 Takeaways

The group stage of the 2015 Copa America ended on Sunday, with all four teams sharing three points and the same goal difference heading into the final matches.

Colombia have been far from impressive in the tournament despite their midweek win over Brazil as they prepared to meet Peru.

Brazil were looking to bounce back from that defeat to Colombia with a victory over Venezuela to ensure top spot in the section.

Here are our takeaways from Day 11 in Chile.

1. Pekerman persistence in Radamel Falcao pays no premium for Colombia

Colombia head coach Jose Pekerman oversaw a tremendous 2014 World Cup for his team, but some were left wondering what could have been if star striker Radamel Falcao had been available for selection.

The Monaco forward had suffered a serious knee injury earlier in the season before being ruled out of Pekerman's final selection for the tournament in Brazil.

However, Falcao has since endured a tortuous campaign on loan at Manchester United, in which he scored only four goals for the Red Devils.

The Copa America offered the chance of some redemption for the Colombian, on whom so much expectancy had rested previously.

But Falcao, who is expected to sign for Chelsea on loan this summer, per Sky Sports, has singularly failed to impress in Chile.

Indeed, such was the concern among Stamford Bridge supporters during the 0-0 draw with Peru on Sunday that several took to social media to urge Jose Mourinho to rethink the move.

"

Falcao should be retiring in the MLS. Not earning £120-150k a week at the English champions.

— #GriezmannDaily (@CarefreeDaily) June 21, 2015"

It is an awful situation for a player who once strode La Liga with Atletico Madrid like a colossus, but opinion on Falcao's display against the Peruvians offered no respite.

Pekerman must now make a decision on the 29-year-old as he prepares for the quarter-final against Argentina where he can ill-afford any passengers in his team.

2. Ricardo Gareca deserves plaudits for guiding Peru to last eight

Although Colombia's performance in the goalless draw in Temuco became the central focus, Peru's progression to the last eight deserves credit also.

Coach Gareca only took over the team in February 2015, affording the former Argentina international little time to work with the players.

Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press

However, after a tournament that has so far seen Peru frighten Brazil, overcome Venezuela and hold Colombia, the former Palmeiras boss is confident his team have still to reach their peak ahead of the last-eight tie with Bolivia.

Gareca was quoted by Sacha Pisani of Goal.com as saying:

"

I feel that we have the potential and the guys know, from there we can go better. We are convinced that we will grow.

We are in a period of growth and now face a team that is on top. We made an interesting game (vs. Colombia) and I think over time we can deliver many more.

"

Peru's progress into the quarter-finals is, of course, nothing new with the country perennial finishers in the last eight.

However, the lack of preparation time for Gareca is worthy of note.

With a winnable quarter-final on the horizon, Gareca is set to deliver on his promise that the best is yet to come from his team.

3. Robinho rolls back the years as Neymar replacement in win over Venezuela

How would Brazil cope without the suspended Neymar for their final Group C match against Venezuela?

That was a question that will have lined the minds of many Selecao supporters, for whom the World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany will long live on.

Silvia Izquierdo/Associated Press

Then injury-robbed Brazil of the services of their talisman, but this time, a red card from the bad-tempered game against Colombia was the cause of his absence.

Whatever the reasons for the Barcelona star being forced to watch the game from the sidelines, the question of how the team would react without him would always be prominent.

Thiago Silva, who also missed the drubbing by the Germans in Belo Horizonte, set minds at ease with his ninth-minute opener.

But it was the performance of veteran Robinho in place of Neymar that impressed most, especially the Brazil fans in the stadium.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester City star rediscovered his form of yesteryear, as he looked to create opportunities throughout his time on the pitch.

Now aged 31, the AC Milan playmaker spent last season on loan at Santos in his home country, but his display on Sunday will have piqued the interest of the San Siro hierarchy.

He was everywhere for Brazil in Sunday's 2-1 victory, with the Venezuelans unable to pin him down, particularly in the first half.

Robinho left the field to an ovation from the Brazil fans—a deserved one at that.

4. Venezuela can leave Copa America with heads held high

They stunned Colombia and scared Brazil in Group C, but still Venezuela find themselves out of the tournament.

Head coach Noel Sanvicente has overseen a tremendous campaign by his team, who came close to dumping the Colombians out of the competition.

If Miku had just reached Josef Martinez's cross into the six-yard area to add to his 84th-minute strike, the Venezuelans would have been celebrating progress to the quarter-finals.

Venezuela were surprise semi-finalists four years ago, but their performances against their more-illustrious opponents this year are an indication of good things for the future.