Was this the same Brazilian team that lost to Mexico in their opening Copa America game?
Was this the same Argentinian squad that had mopped up every opponent they’d faced on their way to this tournament’s final?
The bottom line is you can never count out the Samba Boys and they shocked the soccer world this afternoon by ripping apart Copa odds-on favorites Argentina 3-0.
No Ronaldo, Kaka, Ronaldinho or Adriano? So what. Though they didn’t play with the same ‘joga bonito’ they’re famously known for, it was enough for Dunga’s 11, who improved in each of their Copa America games, to defend their title and stymie the flat, unfocused, and arguably overconfident Argies.
Julio Baptista set the stage early when he absolutely crushed a ball from the top of the penalty area into the back of the net in the 5th minute. 35 minutes later, Argentine Roberto Ayala deflected a Brazillian cross into his own goal. Before you knew it, the game was practically over by halftime.
And if there were any doubts about who was going to win this one, Daniel Alves scored in the 69th, which all but secured Brazil’s 8th Copa America title.
I think we all kinda knew from day 1 of the Copa America that we’d see Brazil and Argentina duke it out again in the finals. And if you put some dinero on that happening, you’re a winner.
First, let’s talk about the fiasco that was the Brazil/Uruguay penalty kick ending. Does Copa America have a new rule where the goaltender can leave the goal line before the penalty taker touches the ball? It looked a little like the old NASL shootouts…remember those? The MLS tried that in their early years too–thank God they got rid of it.
Uruguay did a nice job to tie the game in the 70th minute when Sebastian Abreu slid across the goal line to tap in a headed cross. But when it came down to tapping in penalties (The Copa apparently thinks playing extra time is a waste of time) the Uruguayans choked, specifically midfielder Pablo Garcia, who’s penalty kick–which would have to put them through to the finals–clanked off the post.
He knew he royally screwed up–so much so that it appeared that he gave himself a wedgie when he turned to face his disappointed teammates. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you watch the highlights below.
Not surprisingly, Brazil made their next try and Uruguay didn’t. Game Samba kings.
Here are the penalty kick highlights–in Vietnamese!!
As for Argentina/Mexico, I went on record the other day and said that this was going to be the game of the tournament. I was wrong. The Argies beat the Mexicans like a candy stuffed pinata 3-0. Mexico actually wasn’t that horrible despite the final score. It’s just that Argentina is THAT good.
The South Americans’ first two goals were absolute classics, especially Lionel Messi’s cheeky chip shot in the 61st minute over Oswaldo Sanchez–pure brilliance. I don’t get the pleasure of seeing him play in Barcelona on a regular basis (sorry, I live in the U.S. and we prefer poker tournaments to world class soccer-besides, that’s what Beckham’s here for) but I’m beginning to understand why they’re calling him “the next Maradona”–and he just turned 20, which is scary.
It truly wasn’t the most competitive quarterfinal this weekend at the Copa America.
On Saturday, Brazil blew out Chile 6-1 and Uruguay finished off Venezuela 4-1.
As for Brazil, it’s pretty safe to say that Coach Dunga has whipped his side back into shape after their shock loss to Mexico in their opening match. And what can you say about Robhino other than…wow! He’s about as hot as the beach sand in Sao Paulo right now with 6 goals, the most in the tournament.
Tuesday’s semifinal prediction: Brazil 2 Uruguay 0.
Today’s matches weren’t pretty either. Mexico steamrolled past Paraguay 6-0 and Argentina whupped Peru 4-0, which surely bummed out the owner of my corner deli. There goes the game day discounts…
I’m really looking forward to Wednesday’s Argentina v. Mexico semifinal as I think it’ll be the best game of the tournament. Does Mexico have a chance? Of course they do. This is their chance to prove to everyone that their victory over Brazil wasn’t a fluke. Besides, Argentina hasn’t really played anyone of quality yet.
However, as much as I’d like to see the Mexicans win, I still can’t see the South Americans, who just seem to improve with every game, losing. Does anyone??
I hope Maradona still allows himself a few glasses of champagne
I’ve seen the future of U.S. Men’s soccer–and it will be led by Adu and Altidore.
The U.S. Men’s Under 20 team beat Brazil last night 2-1, in what was not only a huge victory for the team in their pursuit of a U-20 World Cup championship, but a monumental achievement for a soccer program that still seeks respect from the rest of the world.
American striker, Jozy Altidore, still only 17, is the truth. If you don’t know his name by now, his two goals against Brazil showed that he may be the “next big thing” in American soccer. Actually, we’ve never really had a “next big thing”, so consider him the first!
We’re also finally seeing the incredible talents of 18 year old Freddy Adu. It might be the world stage he’s playing on or that he knows that scouts for big European clubs are watching but all of a sudden he’s showing that he’s every bit the player that everyone was hyping him up to be. I mean, does this guy ever get tired? He was absolutely relentless on Brazil’s defense, playing in what seems to be his most natural position, central midfield.
The game winner in the 82nd minute was classic Adu. After making an incredible side move past a Samba defender, he connected with a rocket of a shot towards goal that riccocheted off a Brazilian players leg, landing right on the foot of a wide open Altidore. Big Jozy made no mistake with the opportunity. He confidently slipped it in the back of the net.
Now, I know we haven’t won anything yet but beating Brazil, at any level, is huge. Every country in the world looks at them as the best, so when you beat them, you’ve really accomplished something. Needless to say, with guys like Altidore, Adu and goaltender Chris Seitz, who was absolutely stellar–playing the last 15 minutes on an injured right leg–the U.S. Mens soccer team has A LOT to look forward to.
