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Tevez shoot the free-kick to make Argentina 1-nil |
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With goals by Tevez, Luis Gonzalez and Sorin, Argentina beat Colombia 3-nil, in Lima, to secure their spot in the finals of Copa América 2004. Marcelo Bielsa´s team put on a convincing performance and gave no chance to the current South American champions. Argentina awaits the winner of the Brazil-Uruguay clash to know whom they will do battle with for the title that has eluded them since 1993.
With striker Carlos Tevez replacing injured midfielder Andres D´Alessandro, Argentina started the match with more determination than Colombia, as they went forward restlessly. Reinaldo Rueda´s side, unbeaten thus far, closed their ranks. In the first half, Colombia played well below par and didn´t strike once at Abbondanzieri´s goal. On the other hand, Argentina passed the ball around nd created fine opportunities. On 11 minutes, after a build-up play by Figueroa, Tevez and Delgado, the Argentineans nearly opened the account with a Delgado strike. On 15 minutes, left-back Sorin attempted from outside the box, only to see his shot fly over Henao´s goal. Soon after, on 24 minutes, Kily Gonzalez pounced on a rebound and struck goal-wards, but defender Andres Gonzalez denied him on the goal-line. After squeezing the Colombians as best they could, Bielsa´s men were finally rewarded on 32 minutes. Carlos Tevez taking a free-kick to score his second goal in the Copa América, his second from a dead-ball. Despite conceding a goal, Colombia stayed in their half of the pitch, concerned only about stopping the Argentineans.
In the second half, Argentina returned in cheerful mood and on 50 minutes, they doubled the lead. In a swift passing move, Luciano Figueroa provided Luis Gonzalez with the opportunity to slot home. Trailing by 2, Colombia finally decided to mount a comeback. Coach Rueda put Viafara and Perea on the field. In the meantime, Marcelo Bielsa decided to close his team, swapping striker Figueroa for defender Quiroga. Despite the substitutions, Argentina continued setting the pace. Carlos Tevez, on the right, and Roasles, who came off the bench in the second half, threatened the Colombian defence insistently. On 80 minutes, after a Rosales´ set-piece, an unmarked Sorin scored a third for Argentina with a diving header, securing victory and qualification to the finals of the Copa América.
Technical Info
Argentina 3 x 0 Colombia
Goals:Carlos Tevez 32/1; Luis González 5/2 and Juan Pablo Sorin 35/2
Argentina: Roberto Abbondanzieri, Javier Zanetti, Fabricio Collocini, Gabriel Heinze and Juan Pablo Sorín; Javier Mascherano, Luis González, Cristian González (Diego Placente 38/2) and Carlos Tevez; César Delgado (Mauro Rosales 15/2) and Luciano Figueroa (Facundo Quiroga 19/2). Coach: Marcelo Bielsa
Colombia: Juan Carlos Henao, Gonzalo Martinez, Andrés Orozco, Andrés González and Gustavo Victoria; Oscar Díaz, Abel Aguilar (Jhon Viáfara 13/2), Jairo Patiño and Elkin Murillo (Edixon Perea 15/2); Tressor Moreno (David Ferreira 28/2) and Edwin Congo. Coach: Reinaldo Rueda
Venue: Nacional Stadium, in Lima (PER)
Referee: Gilberto Hidalgo (PER)
Assistant Referees: Juan Sulca (PER) and Francisco Tamayo (ECU)
Yellow Cards: Fabricio Coloccini, Luciano Figueroa, Cristian González, Abel Aguilar, Andres Orozco and Edixon Perea
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