Striker Guerrero backs Peru's quality for decider against Chile

MENDOZA, ARGENTINA // Paolo Guerrero, the Peru striker, said goals in successive games at the Copa America have whetted his appetite and he hopes to score another against Chile on Tuesday.

The Hamburg forward's effort in the 1-0 win against Mexico took Peru to the brink of the quarter-finals, adding to his earlier goal that secured a useful draw with Uruguay, to spark belief that Peru could be on the way back after some lean years.

They have not won the South American championship for 36 years and endured an abysmal World Cup qualifying campaign to miss out on South Africa 2010, but Guerrero said confidence is rising fast. "Now we are really motivated to beat Chile and we are optimistic."

Guerrero, 27, has spent most of his career in the Bundesliga, with Bayern Munich then Hamburg.

Guerrero's only worry is that the team were highly profligate in attack, missing several good chances against the Mexicans.

"We know against Chile it will be tough, but there is a lot of quality in this team," he said.

Chile also started well, with a victory over Mexico and drawing with Uruguay. The victor in the Pacific clasico will win the group.