Argentina lost to Brazil in 2004 via penalties. Argentina came to the finals with vengeance in their eyes looking to crush Brazil. People expected Argentina to win it all. In the end, Argentina went home getting beaten by Brazil.
Brazil was spectacular throughout the game finishing with 3 goals while Argentina never saw the ball behind the net.
Julio Baptisa came up with a back breaker by scoring very early in the game — 4th minute. Argentina captain Roberto Ayala helped Brazil extend the lead by scoring on his own goal before half-time and Brazilian Daniel Alves finishing off Argentina for good.
It was an interesting outcome given that all indications point that Argentina should win the title against Brazil.
1. Their coach, Alfio Basile, has a 19 game winning streak in Copa America dating back to 1991 and 1993 when their squad won the tournament.
2. Argentina is on a scoring rampage with 16 goals in 5 games breezing one opponent after another.
3. Brazil is on shaky ground losing to Mexico in the group stage and narrowly winning against Uruguay via penalty kicks.
4. Dunga’s confidence is shaken up and his competency is in question prior to the finals.
5. Argentina is all fired up since they are looking for their first title after 14 years and looking to crush Brazil.
Brazil won through tactics:
1. Their organized and well timed fouls in the midfield ensured the scary Argentina flowing game was broken to pieces.
2. Brazil slowed the pace after scoring a goal and made sure to clamp down on defense which resulted in a number of counterattacks.
3. Brazil dragged the game and went as far as getting time wasting calls from the referee.
Dunga did not have the best people on his side; but he clearly stirred Brazil to victory through tactics and well planned out game.
Brazil is definitely looking good going into FIFA World Cup 2010.
Picture above via FIFA site.
[…] Brazil won the Copa America sans Ronaldinho and Kaka who asked to be rested during the tournament. Dunga who has been widely criticized on his capacity to bring Brazil back to glory has a lot of thanks to his team which gave him his first title in only 11 months with them. Brazil won convincingly against Argentina on the score of 3 – 0 with Julio Baptista and Daniel Alves filling in on the scoring chart. […]
[…] Brazil Wins Copa America 2007 Thru Well Planned Tactics Argentina lost to Brazil in 2004 via penalties. Argentina came to the finals with vengeance in their eyes looking to crush Brazil. People expected Argentina to win it all. In the end, Argentina went home getting beaten by Brazil. Brazil was spectacular throughout the game finishing with 3 goals while Argentina never saw the ball […] […]
[…] Argentina lost to Brazil in 2004 via penalties. Argentina came to the finals with vengeance in their eyes looking to crush Brazil. People expected Argentina to win it all. In the end, Argentina went home getting beaten by Brazil. Brazil was spectacular throughout the game finishing with 3 goals while Argentina never saw the ball […] read more from RSS feed here […]
[…] Brazil Wins Copa America 2007 Thru Well Planned Tactics Argentina lost to Brazil in 2004 via penalties. Argentina came to the finals with vengeance in their eyes looking to crush Brazil. People expected Argentina to win it all. In the end, Argentina went home getting beaten by Brazil. Brazil was spectacular throughout the game finishing with 3 goals while Argentina never saw the ball […] […]