Copa America

[B. Goren.]

To be more precise, in a little bit more than an hour. Brazil Vs Argentina. I could not expect a better game. In the Copa America you will not see teams like Greece.

I am ready. What about you???

Copa América

[B. Goren.]

Argentina-1, Brazil-0.

Penalty kick.

[Dmitry]

Another lacklustre Final match...

Where were Kafu, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo?

[Jim R]

Another lacklustre Final match...

Where were Kafu, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo?

Every team seemed to have stars missing from this tournament. It was a chance for some younger and less experienced players to compete, I guess.

I thought it was a pretty good match today. Argentina played very hard, and outplayed Brazil for most of the game. They just about had it wrapped up, and simply gave Adriano too much space on that final ball into the box with time running out. An exciting way to finish in regulation, though. Too bad they had to go directly to PK's to decide it.

[B. Goren.]

I thought it was a pretty good match today.

It was a very good match and really enjoyed it.

July 25, 2004 19:21

Brazil win the shootout and lift the Copa America

   

Rodolfo Rodrigues

With an Adriano strike in stoppage time, on 93 minutes, Brazil drew level with Argentina in regulation, bringing on the penalty shootout to determine the champions of Copa America 2004. During the dramatic penalties, Julio Cesar denied D´Alessandro, while Gabriel Heinze missed the target. On the other hand, the Brazilians converted four spot-kicks to clinch the title for Brazil.

As expected, the final match was tense, hard-fought and even, with both sides creating goal-scoring opportunities. In the opening 5 minutes, both teams pleaded for penalties. Brazil requested a foul on striker Adriano in the box, while Argentina wanted the referee to award a hand-ball by Gustavo Nery and a foul on Kily Gonzalez. Paraguayan referee, Carlos Amarilla, waved play-on in both situations. However, on 20 minutes, defender Luisão brought Luis Gonzalez down in the area for a penalty. Cristian Gonzalez converted the spot-kick to open the scoring. After the goal, the Argentineans piled on the pressure and almost doubled the lead, when Luis Gonzalez unleashed a powerdriver, forcing Julio Cesar to a huge save.

After this move, Argentina closed their ranks, luring the Brazilians to their half of the field. Striker Carlos Tevez, on the left flank, was the only Argentinean player moving forwadr with authority. Brazil tried to play down the middle of the pitch, with Adriano and Luis Fabiano producing very little. In the dying minutes, the Brazilian threatened from Alex set-plays. On 45 minutes, the midfielder found defender Luisão, who made amends for the earlier penalty he committed with a header to level the scores. The 1-all tie coming as a reward for the Brazilians who matched the Argentineans stride for stide in the first half.

4 minutes after the break, Argentina squandered the easiest of chances through Carlos Tevez. After a Mauro Rosales cross, the Argentinean striker misfired from the 6-yard box to hit the upright. 10 minutes on and Brazil saw midfielder Kleberson leave the pitch due to injury. Parreira swapped him for Diego, and Brazil grew in offensive terms. For Argentina, Bielsa replaced Mauro Rosales for former starting player, Cesar Delgado, with the objective of making his team more powerful on the right flank of their attack. These changes didn´t change the pace of the match. Argentina took the initiative, but were unable to fire at the Brazilian goal. On 71 minutes, Tevez tried his luck from outside the box, but Julio Cesar was equal to the effort. Argentina continued turning the screw, while Brazil closed themselves behind. The Argentinean persistance finally paid off on 87 minutes. Brazilian Renato unable to clear the lines from a cross, allowing Cesar Delgado to drive his shot home to score the second for Argentina. When all seemed defined, the top scorer of Copa America, Adriano, made the most of a loose ball to level the match with a last gasp equalizer, on 93 minutes, to take the match to a penalty shootout. During the penalties, Julio Cesar stopped Andres D´Alessandro¿s first spot-kick, while Adriano put Brazil in front. Defender Gabriel Heinze struck over the crossbar, squandering a second spot-kick for Argentina. Then, Edu and Diego duly converted for Brazil, while Cristian Gonzalez and Sorin scored for Argentina. In the last spot-kick, defender Juan struck his penalty-kick in textbook fashion to secure the Copa America 2004 title for Brazil, their seventh in history.