Brazil dominates

Brazil dominates Argentina to win Copa America crown

Even without some top stars, Brazil still won its second straight Copa America title.

Julio Baptista scored in the fourth minute, an own goal doubled the lead in the 40th and Daniel Alves got the final goal in the 69th as the Brazilians stunned favoured Argentina 3-0 Sunday to win South America's championship for the eighth time.

"Lots of people criticized our team, but we're the champions," said Brazil forward Robinho, the tournament's top scorer with six goals.

While Argentina brought its top players and appeared unstoppable throughout most of the tournament, Brazil was missing stars such as Ronaldinho and Kaka, who decided to skip the tournament after the long European club season. The Brazilians edged Uruguay 5-4 on
penalty kicks in the semifinals after a 2-2 tie.

"My players demonstrated they're capable of great things," Brazil coach Dunga said. "Argentina was the press and everyone's favourite, but the game is decided on the field over 90 minutes."

Brazil defeated Argentina 4-2 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 tie to win the 2004 final in Lima, Peru. The Brazilians have won four of the last five Copa titles — the exception was when Colombia won at home in 2001 — and eight in all. But in last year's World Cup, Brazil was eliminated by France in the quarter-finals. (dre-mhsm)

Brazil Kejutkan Argentina

Maracaibo, Venezuela,. Brasil secara mengejutkan berhasil memepertahankan gelar Piala Amerika setelah menang telak 3-0 atas favorit juara, Argentina, di final yang berlangsung di Maracaibo, Venezuela, Senin (16/7) WIB. Ini merupakan ulangan kemenangan mereka di final terakhir Piala Amerika di Peru, juga dengan menundukkan Argentina. Brasil telah memenangi empat dari lima kejuaran terakhir Piala Amerika.

Bermain tanpa pemain andalan Ronaldinho dan Kaka, sejak awal Brasil tampil kurang meyakinkan saat ditundukkan Meksiko 0-2. Dan secara keseluruhan tim ini memang tanpil kurang mengesankan.

Berbeda dengan Argentina yang berhasil memenangi semua pertandingan dalam perjalanannya menuju final, sehingga hampir tak mungkin mereka akan kalah dari Brasil di final.

Namun, di final pasukan Dunga bermain begitu kuat diawali dengan gol yang dibuat Julio Baptista di menit keempat membuat para pendukung Argentina terdiam, dan juga mengejutkan para pemain Argentina sendiri. Mereka mempertontonkan permainan yang efisien dan efektif.

Sebenarnya, Argentina memiliki kesempatan besar untuk menyamakan kedudukan tepat lima menit kemudian. Ketika bintang muda Lionel Messi mengoper bola secara menyilang dan Juan Sebastian Veron dengan pelan menyundul bola ke kaki Juan Roman Riquelme. Sayang tendangan kencang Riquelme berhasil ditahan oleh Doni. dre mhsm sportline//