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Struck by the hand of Ruidiaz

Disputed goal that ended Brazil's Copa America hopes also ends Dunga's stint as coach

Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal helped Argentina beat England at the 1986 World Cup.

Thirty years on, the Hand of Ruidiaz struck a telling blow on Brazil's fortunes at the Copa America and their coach Dunga.

After an opening 0-0 draw with Ecuador was followed by a 7-1 win over Haiti, Brazil needed just a draw with Peru on Tuesday morning (Singapore time) to reach the quarter-finals.

Instead, they crashed out of the tournament after a disputed goal handed the Selecao a 1-0 loss.

Peru's Raul Ruidiaz appeared to bundle in a cross with his arm late in the second half.

It was the first time in three decades that Brazil had exited the tournament at the group stage.

And Dunga, 52, paid the price, despite having confidently said after the defeat that he was not afraid of the sack.

He said: "I am only afraid of death".

Dunga, who was in his second spell as Brazil coach, was fired after a meeting at the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

"The Brazilian Football Confederation decided this Tuesday to dissolve the technical commission of the Brazilian national team," the CBF said in a short statement.

"National teams coordinator Gilmar Rinaldi, coach Dunga and their entire team will leave their posts.

"The CBF has began the process of choosing a new technical commission for the Brazilian team."

FAVOURITE

The overwhelming favourite to become Brazil's new coach is Corinthians' 55-year-old manager Tite.

The new man will also be charged with leading the Under-23s at August's Rio Olympics, the only major tournament Brazil have never won.

Tite led Sao Paulo's biggest club to the Brazilian championship in 2011 and 2015 as well as the Copa Libertadores and World Club Cup for the first time in 2012.

Dunga had never coached until he was first hired as Brazil boss in 2006.

He led them to the Copa America in Venezuela in his first major tournament the following year.

He was fired in 2010, immediately after Brazil were eliminated by Holland at the quarter-final stage of that year's World Cup.

After coaching his boyhood club, Internacional, for a year in 2013, Dunga was a surprise choice to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari after the Selecao's humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany at the 2014 World Cup.

DEFENSIVE STYLE

Dunga, who was captain of Brazil's 1994 World Cup-winning side, was given the task of revamping the national set-up, but his defensive style of play and curt demeanour won him few fans.

Led by Barcelona striker Neymar, Brazil performed well in friendlies, but were knocked out of the 2015 Copa America in the quarter-finals by Paraguay and, without several first-team players, they were poor again at this year's tournament in the United States.

One of the main priorities for the new boss will be to ensure Brazil qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

After a poor start, Brazil sit in sixth place in the South American qualifying group.

The top four teams qualify automatically for the World Cup in Russia. - Wire Services.

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