Brazil Thrash Argentina 3-0 To Claim Eighth Title

Copa America Final: Argentina 0-3Brazil

Brazil thrashed overwhelming Copa America favourites Argentina 3-0 to win their eighth continental title. The Brazilians completely dominated the Argentines and were well worth their victory.

First Half


Brazil, who came into the match as the underdogs, took a surprise lead in the 5th minute with a powerful strike from Julio Baptista that ended up in the top left angle of Roberto Abbondanzieri's goal.


Minutes later Juan Roman Riquelme could have put Argentina on level terms, but his powerful effort struck Doni's right post.


After the goal no team really dominated the possession, although the Brazilians looked the more dangerous side when they attacked.


The Argentines were playing much below the capacity they showed in their fives matches, prior to the match, but slowly were coming into the match.
In the 35th minute once again it was Riquelme who almost put them level, but his good swerving effort was brilliantly saved by Doni.


Brazil went two goals ahead in the 40th minute when Roberto Ayala slid the ball into his own net after a good Brazilian attack.


Carlos Dunga's side took a well deserved 2-0 lead into the break.
Second Half

Argentina came into the second period hoping to come back from two goals down, and they pushed to the attack right from the beginning.

In the 13th minute of the half Alfio Basile replaced Esteban Cambiasso for Pablo Aimar in order to give more creativity to Argentina's offense.


But it didn't have much of an effect on the match, as Brazil continued to dominate and added their third goal through substitute Daniel Alves, who finished off a swift counterattack with a good crossed shot that beat Abbondanzieri.

Lionel Messi looked to have pulled a goal back for Argentina, but his brilliant finish was disallowed for offside.

The Argentines never played to their true potential, as star midfielders Riquelme and Juan Sebastian Veron didn't have any influence on the match.
The Brazilians fully deserved their eighth Copa America title after an outstanding display in the final.

Lineups:



Argentina: Roberto Abbondanzieri, Javier Zanetti, Roberto Ayala, Gabriel Milito, Gabriel Heinze, Juan Sebastian Veron (Luis Gonzalez 67'), Javier Mascherano, Esteban Cambiasso (Pablo Aimar 59'), Juan Roman Riquelme, Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez.
Manager: Alfio Basile.



Brazil: Doni, Maicon, Juan, Alex Costa, Gilberto, Elano (Daniel Alves 34'), Mineiro, Josue, Julio Baptista, Robinho (Diego 90') and Vagner Love (Fernando 90').



Manager: Carlos Dunga.
Goals: Julio Baptista (5'), Roberto Ayala o.g. (40'), Daniel Alves (69').
Bookings: Alex (37'), Doni (51'), Gilberto (55'), Julio Baptista (68'), Josue (82'), Javier Mascherano (44'), Carlos Tevez (76').
Referee: Carlos Amarilla (Paraguay). Linesmen: Walter Rial (Uruguay) and Luis Sanchez (Venezuela).
Stadium: Jose Encarnacion Pachencho Romero, Maracaibo, Venezuela. Attendance: 40,000.