The Copa America has come and gone and Brazil stands kings of a continent. South America’s premier continental soccer tournament also happens to be, for you trivia buffs, the oldest international competition on the planet.
Held in Venezuela, teams from Argentina and Brazil embraced for the 10th time in their history at the 2007 edition of the finals. The tango and samba were to once more grace the world soccer stage. Both ranked in the top five in the FIFA world rankings, the final pitted two of the great geniuses of world soccer. Needless to say, the titanic final left many of us salivating like a teething child.
How both sides reached the final could not have been any different. Argentina skillfully weaved and brilliantly muscled its way into the final. They clearly dominated at every turn the opposition they faced including a very strong Mexican side in the semi finals. The pace, determination and cohesiveness of the Argentineans gave the impression that they were not going to be denied their record 15th Copa America title.
If Argentina staked their right to be in the final, Brazil took a more humble, if not confused, path. Losing its opener to Mexico, they managed to look ordinary in victories over far inferiour opponents. By the time the semis rolled around, Brazil looked like a side with no identity despite Robinho’s heroics. Things did not look all that great against Uruguay in the semi finals either as Brazil needed shootout to save them after a hard fought 2-2 draw.
And so they staggered into the final. That’s all that matters. Argentina leads 8-2 Copa America finals standings for leading and selected nations: • Argentina 14-12 All time record for all matches between Argentina and Brazil: Brazil leads 34 wins, 33 losses, 22 ties So, Argentina clobbers Mexico and Brazil barely beats Uruguay, ergo Argentina will trounce Brazil, right? Since when is life that simple?
if (preg_match('/
(Until 2004, Argentina was 8-0 against Brazil)
• Urguguay 14-7
• Brazil 8-11
Article comments
1 - RJ
Good post.
I heard all about this from the Brazilian head housekeeper at my hotel, Osvaldo, earlier today. He was very excited by this result, and made sure to mention that Brazil wasn't even playing it's top performers when they decimated Argentina 3-0.
2 - alessandro Nicolo
They have every right to be excited. But Brazil is no longer dominant. Far from it. Even with their top players. A good case can be made that Argentina - dare I say - choked. Their leaders did not lead. There is no reason why Argentina should have lost this match. Full credit and marks to Brazil - they got the job done. That's all that matters.