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Brasil won Copa América for the seventh time |
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With an Adriano strike in stoppage time, on 93 minutes, Brazil drew level with Argentina in regulation, bringing on the penalty shootout to determine the champions of Copa America 2004. During the dramatic penalties, Julio Cesar denied D´Alessandro, while Gabriel Heinze missed the target. On the other hand, the Brazilians converted four spot-kicks to clinch the title for Brazil.
As expected, the final match was tense, hard-fought and even, with both sides creating goal-scoring opportunities. In the opening 5 minutes, both teams pleaded for penalties. Brazil requested a foul on striker Adriano in the box, while Argentina wanted the referee to award a hand-ball by Gustavo Nery and a foul on Kily Gonzalez. Paraguayan referee, Carlos Amarilla, waved play-on in both situations. However, on 20 minutes, defender Luisão brought Luis Gonzalez down in the area for a penalty. Cristian Gonzalez converted the spot-kick to open the scoring. After the goal, the Argentineans piled on the pressure and almost doubled the lead, when Luis Gonzalez unleashed a powerdriver, forcing Julio Cesar to a huge save.
After this move, Argentina closed their ranks, luring the Brazilians to their half of the field. Striker Carlos Tevez, on the left flank, was the only Argentinean player moving forwadr with authority. Brazil tried to play down the middle of the pitch, with Adriano and Luis Fabiano producing very little. In the dying minutes, the Brazilian threatened from Alex set-plays. On 45 minutes, the midfielder found defender Luisão, who made amends for the earlier penalty he committed with a header to level the scores. The 1-all tie coming as a reward for the Brazilians who matched the Argentineans stride for stide in the first half.
4 minutes after the break, Argentina squandered the easiest of chances through Carlos Tevez. After a Mauro Rosales cross, the Argentinean striker misfired from the 6-yard box to hit the upright. 10 minutes on and Brazil saw midfielder Kleberson leave the pitch due to injury. Parreira swapped him for Diego, and Brazil grew in offensive terms. For Argentina, Bielsa replaced Mauro Rosales for former starting player, Cesar Delgado, with the objective of making his team more powerful on the right flank of their attack. These changes didn´t change the pace of the match. Argentina took the initiative, but were unable to fire at the Brazilian goal. On 71 minutes, Tevez tried his luck from outside the box, but Julio Cesar was equal to the effort. Argentina continued turning the screw, while Brazil closed themselves behind. The Argentinean persistance finally paid off on 87 minutes. Brazilian Renato unable to clear the lines from a cross, allowing Cesar Delgado to drive his shot home to score the second for Argentina. When all seemed defined, the top scorer of Copa America, Adriano, made the most of a loose ball to level the match with a last gasp equalizer, on 93 minutes, to take the match to a penalty shootout.
During the penalties, Julio Cesar stopped Andres D´Alessandro¿s first spot-kick, while Adriano put Brazil in front. Defender Gabriel Heinze struck over the crossbar, squandering a second spot-kick for Argentina. Then, Edu and Diego duly converted for Brazil, while Cristian Gonzalez and Sorin scored for Argentina. In the last spot-kick, defender Juan struck his penalty-kick in textbook fashion to secure the Copa America 2004 title for Brazil, their seventh in history.
Technical Info
Argentina 2 (2) x 2 (4) Brazil
Goals: Cristian González (pen) 20/1 and Luisão 45/1; César Delgado 42/2 and Adriano 48/2
Penalties: Argentina 2 (Cristian González e Juan Pablo Sorin; Andrés D´Alessandro e Gabriel Heinze perderam) x Brazil 4 (Adriano, Edu, Diego e Juan) Argentina: Roberto Abbondanzieri, Fabricio Collocini, Roberto Ayala and Gabriel Heinze; Javier Zanetti, Javier Mascherano, Luis González (Andrés D´Alessandro 29/2), Cristian González and Juan Pablo Sorín; Carlos Tevez (Facungo Quiroga 46/2) and Mauro Rosales (César Delgado 18/2). Coach: Marcelo Bielsa
Brazil: Júlio César, Maicon, Luisão (Cris 35/2), Juan and Gustavo Nery; Renato, Kléberson (Diego 10/2), Edu and Alex (Felipe 17/2); Adriano and Luis Fabiano. Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Venue: Estádio Nacional, in Lima (PER)
Referee: Carlos Amarilla (PAR)
Assistant Referees: Nelson Cano (PAR) and Juan Sulca (PER)
Yellow Cards: Juan Pablo Sorin, Javier Mascherano, César Delgado, Edu and Luisão
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