Brazil and Argentina went into the tournaments as favorites, but both teams started off their first game with a draw. Colombia face off against Messi and Argentina on the 6th of July at 9:45pm local time. With the tournament taking place in Argentina, the pressure is on the host nation.
Trailing Bolivia much of the match, Argentina was able to level 1-1 with a superb strike (albeit out of nothing) from substitute Sergio Aguero. Imagining what Pele will say after the Copa America, if Messi and Argentina can’t produce is not hard. Goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo is the only player that plays in Argentina. Strikers Tevez, Lavezzi and Messi simply put, need a # 10. The biggest worry however, would be if Brazil won in Argentina giving Brazil its 3rd straight Copa. Argentina’s national sport is currently in a state of financial peril.
Trailing Bolivia much of the match, Argentina was able to level 1-1 with a superb strike (albeit out of nothing) from substitute Sergio Aguero. Imagining what Pele will say after the Copa America, if Messi and Argentina can’t produce is not hard. Goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo is the only player that plays in Argentina. Strikers Tevez, Lavezzi and Messi simply put, need a # 10. The biggest worry however, would be if Brazil won in Argentina giving Brazil its 3rd straight Copa. Argentina’s national sport is currently in a state of financial peril.
Namely that Brazil, in its game against Venezuela, looked as bad, or maybe even worse, than Argentina did against Bolivia. At least Argentina managed to score a goal -- wonderful one from Sergio Aguero - in its 1-1 tie, while Brazil lumbered to a vapid 0-0 tie.
At the moment, the Copa America is limping sadly along -- and if goals are red blood corpuscles of soccer, which I believe they are, the elements that keep the game alive, then Copa America is a half-dead tournament, giving us just eight goals in its first six games.
The best came from Brazil and Japan on Sunday. This Brazil, the baby version, displayed most of what the senior version in the Copa lamentably lacked against Bolivia. A neat passing game, for a start. In Ademilson, a forward who looked like a goal-scoring threat almost every time he approached the Japanese penalty area. Japan had never stopped playing its smooth, on the ground, rapid passing game. Germany survived but, as the game finished, there was that same feeling that had made itself felt after Brazil’s win ... had the better team really won the game?
The least spectacular of the quarterfinals had been Uruguay’s 2-0 win over the surprise team Uzbekistan (who had beaten the USA 2-1 in the first round). The two Mexican goals were beauties. It’s tempting to talk of the German juggernaut crushing all opposition -- their scoring record is now 18 goals scored, only three conceded. The other semifinal is a historic South American rivalry, Brazil vs. Uruguay. When the two teams met earlier this year in the South American under-17 championship, the game finished 0-0. The statistics so far say that the final of this tournament will be Germany vs. Brazil.
At the moment, the Copa America is limping sadly along -- and if goals are red blood corpuscles of soccer, which I believe they are, the elements that keep the game alive, then Copa America is a half-dead tournament, giving us just eight goals in its first six games.
The best came from Brazil and Japan on Sunday. This Brazil, the baby version, displayed most of what the senior version in the Copa lamentably lacked against Bolivia. A neat passing game, for a start. In Ademilson, a forward who looked like a goal-scoring threat almost every time he approached the Japanese penalty area. Japan had never stopped playing its smooth, on the ground, rapid passing game. Germany survived but, as the game finished, there was that same feeling that had made itself felt after Brazil’s win ... had the better team really won the game?
The least spectacular of the quarterfinals had been Uruguay’s 2-0 win over the surprise team Uzbekistan (who had beaten the USA 2-1 in the first round). The two Mexican goals were beauties. It’s tempting to talk of the German juggernaut crushing all opposition -- their scoring record is now 18 goals scored, only three conceded. The other semifinal is a historic South American rivalry, Brazil vs. Uruguay. When the two teams met earlier this year in the South American under-17 championship, the game finished 0-0. The statistics so far say that the final of this tournament will be Germany vs. Brazil.
ENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -The Copa America is off to a cold start, matching Argentina's winter weather.
Tournament co-favorites Brazil and Argentina made stuttering starts against probably the two weakest teams in the South American confederation.
Sunday's other Group B match in Santa Fe was just as chilling: Ecuador 0, Paraguay 0.
Only three goals have been scored in the first four Copa America matches - one goal every two hours.
Brazil - like Argentina in Group A - only showed flashes despite vastly superior talent.
Brazil tried to rely on star power and seldom looked like a real team. Venezuela worked harder, kept Brazil's chances to a minimum and was helped by some impressive goalkeeping from Renny Vega.
Venezuela defeated Brazil 2-0 three years ago in an international friendly in Boston.
"We are making a habit of controlling Brazil,'' Venezuela coach Cesar Farias said.
With Venezuela content to play for the draw, Brazil had several chances early.
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