Copa América

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...inated?cc=4716

Brazil pay the penalty
July 17, 2011

8-time Copa America winners Brazil were left stunned & eliminated as they failed 2 convert a single penalty in their shootout against Paraguay, losing it 2-0.

The Brazilians created the better chances throughout the 120 mins, but were unable 2 make the breakthrough as both sides remained scoreless 2 send the quarter-final in La Plata 2 penalties.

Paraguay, meanwhile, had goalkeeper Justo Villar 2 thank 4 their clean sheet as the Estudiantes shot-stopper kept out the likes of Alexandre Pato, Robinho & Neymar on numerous occasions. Indeed the attacking trio of Brazil looked dangerous throughout the encounter, with Neymar sending 2 strikes barely wide of the post either side of the half-time interval.

A goal was not forthcoming, though, & both sides were forced 2 play out the majority of extra-time with 10-men aft Lucas Leiva & Antolin Alcaraz were shown red following a touchline fracas.

Brazil were then made 2 pay 4 squandering their chances during the match as Elano, Andre Santos & Fred all blazed their penalties horribly off target, whilst Thiago Silva's spot-kick was saved by the impressive Villar.

Paraguay will face Venezuela in the semi-finals aft Cesar Farias' men overcame Chile 2-1 in San Juan.

Oswaldo Vizcarrondo opened the scoring 4 the Venezuelans in the 34th-min with a glancing header past goalkeeper Claudio Bravo fr a free-kick.

Star Chilean striker Humberto Suazo then restored parity on 69 mins b4 Gabriel Cichero gave Venezuela the lead 1s again 10mins b4 full-time 2 send Venezuela thru 2 the Copa America final 4 for the 1st time.

The Copa America semi-finals will begin on Tuesday with Uruguay facing Peru, while Paraguay will take on Venezuela on Wednesday aft many of the tournament favs were knocked out in the quarter-final stage.

[IloveBusty]

[$$$$$$$$$]Guarantee both GUAY will be in the Copa America final and i pick URUGUAY to win it, cheers![/SIZE]

[Fireblade]

Originally Posted by joew2005

8-time Copa America winners Brazil were left stunned & eliminated as they failed 2 convert a single penalty in their shootout against Paraguay, losing it 2-0.

That is shocking, the least to say!

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Quarter Finals
Colombia 0-2 Peru (aet)
Argentina 1-1 Uruguay (aet, Uruguay thru on 5-4 penalty kicks)
Brazil 0-0 Paraguay (aet, Paraguay thru on 2-0 penalty kicks)
Chile 1-2 Venezuela

Semi Finals
Peru 0-2 Uruguay
20 July - Paraguay vs Venezuela

3rd Place Place Off
23 July - Peru vs _

Final
24 July - Uruguay vs _


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María & Gonzalo Higuaín)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes,Arturo Vidal & Humberto Suazo)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz,Nelson Haedo Valdez,Antolín Alcaraz,Lucas Barrios & Cristian Riveros)
Peru(Carlos Lobatón & Juan Manuel Vargas)
Uruguay(Diego Pérez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González,José Salomón Rondón,Nicolás Fedor, Grenddy Perozo,Oswaldo Vizcarrondo & Gabriel Cichero)

2 goals -
Brazil(Alexandre Pato & Neymar)
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Ecuador(Felipe Caicedo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica


Final Position
1)
2)
3)
4) Peru Played5 Won2 Draw1 Lose2 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts=7
5) Chile Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS5 GA4 GD+1 Pts=7
6) Colombia Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=7
7) Argentina Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS5 GA2 GD+3 Pts=6
8) Brazil Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=6
9) Costa Rica Played3 Won1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=3
10) Ecuador Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD−3 Pts=1
11) Bolivia Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD−4 Pts=1
12) Mexico Played3 Won0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 −3 Pts=0

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Quarter Finals
Colombia 0-2 Peru (aet)
Argentina 1-1 Uruguay (aet, Uruguay thru on 5-4 penalty kicks)
Brazil 0-0 Paraguay (aet, Paraguay thru on 2-0 penalty kicks)
Chile 1-2 Venezuela

Semi Finals
Peru 0-2 Uruguay
Paraguay 0-0 Venezuela (aet, Paraguay won 5-3 on penalties)

3rd Place Place Off
23 July - Peru vs Venezuela

Final
24 July - Uruguay vs Paraguay


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María & Gonzalo Higuaín)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes,Arturo Vidal & Humberto Suazo)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz,Nelson Haedo Valdez,Antolín Alcaraz,Lucas Barrios & Cristian Riveros)
Peru(Carlos Lobatón & Juan Manuel Vargas)
Uruguay(Diego Pérez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González,José Salomón Rondón,Nicolás Fedor, Grenddy Perozo,Oswaldo Vizcarrondo & Gabriel Cichero)

2 goals -
Brazil(Alexandre Pato & Neymar)
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Ecuador(Felipe Caicedo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica


Final Position
1)
2)
3) Played5 Won2 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=9
4) Peru Played5 Won2 Draw1 Lose2 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts=7
5) Chile Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS5 GA4 GD+1 Pts=7
6) Colombia Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=7
7) Argentina Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS5 GA2 GD+3 Pts=6
8) Brazil Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=6
9) Costa Rica Played3 Won1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=3
10) Ecuador Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD−3 Pts=1
11) Bolivia Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD−4 Pts=1
12) Mexico Played3 Won0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 −3 Pts=0

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...erdogs?cc=4716

Hailing the underdogs
July 21, 2011

Aft all the surprises, aft the wailing & gnashing of teeth fr the big boys, & aft tat extraordinary quarter-final round when not 1 of the favs got thru, it was abt time tis Copa America settled a bit & gave us a couple of games tat turned out as expected. An unfussy win 4 Uruguay, & qualification with yet another draw 4 Paraguay; Tuesday's & Wednesday's semi-finals went rather more 2 form than alot of the tournament tat went b4 them.

It was almost refreshing, aft the spectacular table-turning in the quarters, 2 see both favs go thru. I say 'almost', becos I'm possibly the only journalist I know who's been covering tis tournament who honestly would hv loved a Peru v Venezuela final. All the same there was satisfaction in watching 2 semi-finals & knowing tat whoever won, we'd end up with a final line-up tat absolutely no-1 would hv predicted prior 2 the tournament kicking off.

Tat fact, it must be said, helped me get thru wat were in truth 2 fairly pedestrian matches. Okay, Uruguay's 2-0 win over Peru wasn't tat bad, but by the end of Paraguay's 5th successive draw (& 2nd successive penalty shootout win) in tis tournament on Wednesday night, the high points of the previous evening's match had been well & truly 4gotten. Paraguay hv decent 4wards, & don't play an especially defensive game, so the fact they so frequently struggle 2 outscore their opponents is a bit puzzling.

Venezuela, by contrast, hv no really heralded players, but press all over the pitch & counter-attack @ pace, & their reward has been a 1st ever Copa America semi-final, only 4 years aft their 1st ever quarter-final (& tat came in a tournament they hosted). With Tomas Rincon - suspended 4 the semi - acting as the cornerstone of their team, they've shown throughout tis competition tat they r emphatically no longer the whipping boys of South American football, casting off a tag they held as recently as a few years ago.

The match was marred afterwards by an ugly brawl as, in the midst of Paraguay's celebrations @ winning the penalty shootout, a few Venezuelan players took exception 2 the attitude shown by Paraguay's Argentinian-born midfielder Nestor Ortigoza, who'd had a few words with a number of his opponents during extra-time. It spoiled a match which had, by & large, been played in the right spirit in terms of respect 4 opponents, if not the quality of the football on offer.

All the same, both losing semi-finalists can be proud of their showings in tis Copa. Venezuela hv never hit any high points football-wise b4, while Peru's were decades ago. As recently as the last WC cycle, Peru were in danger of being thrown out of FIFA, & finished the 2010 World Cup qualifiers rock bottom of the continental table, winning only 3 matches. Both, however, picked up victories in reaching the semis - something finalists Paraguay, as I've mentioned, failed 2 do.

Uruguay's win over Peru on Tuesday still showed a gulf in class, all the same. Uruguay's style isn't as freewheeling as Group C rivals Chile, but they've kept 2gether the nucleus of the side tat did so well @ last year's WC, & the stability & team ethos tat has given them has proved crucial. Every1 knows wat every1 else is doing, & tat's why, 4 instance, a key figure such as Edinson Cavani was not ultimately missed when manager Oscar Tabarez - who also deserves enormous credit 4 having taken the team 2 such heights in the last couple of years - decided not 2 risk him in the semi aft a twisted knee in the quarter-final.

Peru put up spirited resistance, but Uruguay's patience, craft & experience ultimately showed, with Luis Suarez bagging 2 well-taken goals in quick succession early in the 2nd half 2 settle the match. Of all the 'shock' teams in tis Copa, Uruguay hv been the least surprising. Most predicted an Argentina v Brazil final, but if asked 2 name the team who stood the best chance of breaking the duopoly, would probably hv gone 4 the side tat reached the semi-finals in South Africa 2010. Aft travelling last year 2 Montevideo 2 watch tat semi 4 ESPNsoccernet, I wrote tat Uruguay's good WC could, if they kept the momentum, translate 2 an impressive Copa America a year on, & so it has proved.

Paraguay hv been more enigmatic, & although they've reached their 1st final since they won the title in 1979, it's impossible 2 escape the impression tat they're better @ frustrating opponents than they r @ taking the game 2 them. They might hv seemed unlucky @ times against Venezuela in attack, but don't 4get Venezuela had a perfectly legitimate goal chalked off 4 a frankly bizarre offside call in the 1st half. Other than tat moment of excitement, though, it was a match in stark contrast to the previous time these sides met, in their final group game, when 2 stoppage time goals 4 Venezuela allowed them 2 claim a 3-3 draw.

Uruguay v Paraguay will be Sunday's final in the Estadio Monumental then, & I'll be looking 4ward 2 tat here on ESPNsoccernet in a couple of days' time, but 4 now I 1 2 salute the achievements of the 2 vanquished semi-finalists, becos both deserve it. The Copa tis year hasn't had a surplus of great matches, but it has been an interesting 1, thanks in large part 2 the courage of the supposedly smaller nations.

Prior 2 tis tournament, Venezuela had won only 2 matches ever in the Copa America. They've now doubled tat total, & will hv a chance 2 claim a 5th win in the 3rd-place play-off on Saturday. Those matches r so often pointless, but tis time round 1 can't help feel tat both sides really hv earned it. They've given as much as any1 2 tis tournament.

[ibelieveindevil]

finally, i am eagerly waiting for the game, the ticket which i bought before the first game, 1:8 to uruguay winning the copa, is just a step away!

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...-final?cc=4716

Martino handed two-game ban
July 22, 2011

Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino has been handed a 2-game touchline ban following his part in the fracas which marred his side's Copa America semi-final win over Venezuela on Wednesday.

The sanction means Martino will hv 2 sit in the stands 4 Sunday's final against Uruguay in Buenos Aires.

Paraguay beat Venezuela 5-3 on penalties b4 police & security staff had 2 intervene as players & officials fr both teams brawled on the pitch. Martino had already been sent off 4 remonstrating with the referee.

Both sides were also fined US dollars 10,000 & were warned further punishments would follow if there was a repeat in the future.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

3rd Place Place Off
23 July - Peru vs Venezuela

Final
24 July - Uruguay vs Paraguay


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María & Gonzalo Higuaín)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes,Arturo Vidal & Humberto Suazo)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz,Nelson Haedo Valdez,Antolín Alcaraz,Lucas Barrios & Cristian Riveros)
Peru(Carlos Lobatón & Juan Manuel Vargas)
Uruguay(Diego Pérez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González,José Salomón Rondón,Nicolás Fedor, Grenddy Perozo,Oswaldo Vizcarrondo & Gabriel Cichero)

2 goals -
Brazil(Alexandre Pato & Neymar)
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Ecuador(Felipe Caicedo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

Uruguay Played5 Won2 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA3 GD+3 Pts=9
Paraguay Played5 Won0 Draw5 Lose0 GS5 GA5 GD0 Pts=5
Venezuela Played5 Won2 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=9
Peru Played5 Won2 Draw1 Lose2 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts=7

Final Position
1)
2)
3)
4)
5) Chile Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS5 GA4 GD+1 Pts=7
6) Colombia Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=7
7) Argentina Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS5 GA2 GD+3 Pts=6
8) Brazil Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=6
9) Costa Rica Played3 Won1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=3
10) Ecuador Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD−3 Pts=1
11) Bolivia Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD−4 Pts=1
12) Mexico Played3 Won0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 −3 Pts=0

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview...317560?cc=4716

Uruguay seeking 15th Copa America title

It has been a peculiar Copa America. South American giants Brazil & Argentina hv fallen with red-faced thuds as so-called underdogs hv arced their necks. Drama, meanwhile, has presented itself in spurts. Now 4 1 final twist as Paraguay lock horns with Uruguay in tis Sunday's final @ the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Uruguay r favourites 2 triumph, but their opponents hv tis tournament made a habit of squeezing out results, having not won a game in normal time.

Tat Paraguay r in tis weekend's showpiece courtesy of a winless path is worthy of dissection. Drawn in Group B alongside Brazil, Venezuela & Ecuador, Paraguay played out a goalless draw in their opening match versus the latter - tis outcome would prove a familiar feeling 4 Gerardo Martino & his players. The nation was then denied victory in the 89th minute against Brazil, the match ending 2-2, b4 2 late goals, tis time versus Venezuela, meant 3 group games played & as many stalemates accrued.

Despite being winless & finishing 3rd, Paraguay advanced 2 the next phase as their neutral goal difference proved the 2nd best of the teams tat finished 3rd. A repeat meeting with 5-time WC winners Brazil beckoned, tis time in the quarter-finals. No goals were scored over 120 minutes, so penalties awaited. Spectators were open-mouthed when Brazil missed all 4 of theirs, as Paraguay tucked home 2 of their 3 to reach the final 4. Almost inevitably, Paraguay's semi-final meeting with Venezuela finished square. And they again held their nerve 2 win another spot-kick shootout.

Uruguay, meanwhile, were hardly rampant in the group phase, winning just 1 of their 3 fixtures, but their return of 5 points proved enough 2 secure a runners-up berth. Oscar Tabarez's charges then faced the task of tackling hosts Argentina. The sides could not be split aft a goal apiece in the 1st half, so, like Paraguay @ the same stage, they headed 4 penalties. Uruguay were composed, scoring all 5 of their efforts as Carlos Tevez missed 4 Argentina. It was more routine in the semi-finals, a brace fr Luis Suarez disposing of Peru.

Now Uruguay r on the brink of making history. Should they emerge victorious against Paraguay then they will reach 15 South American titles, usurping heavyweights Argentina. Tis would be a remarkable feat tat would reiterate Uruguay's continued ability 2 punch abv their weight. Indeed, Uruguay, who boast 2 WC titles 2 their name, r the 2nd-smallest nation in South America. Tabarez is the current man @ the helm, & he has thoroughly impressed since his appointment in 2006, having led the team 2 the semi-finals of the WC last year.

Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino, however, will be forced 2 watch his side fr the stands aft receiving a 2-game touchline ban 4 his part in the fracas tat marred the semi-final win over Venezuela. Martino was fined $10,000, while his team were accused by Venezuela boss Cesar Farias of provoking the melee. Their penchant 4 penalties, meanwhile, appears habitual. Under Martino, Paraguay were beaten by eventual winners Spain @ the 2010 WC, having reached the last 8 by - yes, you guessed it - a victory on penalties. Uruguay would be advised not 2 let their fate be decided by shots fr 12 yards, though Ghana suffered @ their hands in South Africa in a shoot-out.

While La Albirroja hv been rather unconvincing during tis competition - although it is worth reiterating they came within a whisker of seeing off Brazil in the group stage - their supporters will unlikely care a jot, 4 they r playing in their 1st Copa America final for 32 years. Back in 1979, they beat Chile 3-1 on aggregate, claiming their 2nd South American title. Speaking ahead of tis weekend, Martino, said: "It feels like a miracle. But aft 2 lots of extra-time we arrive @ the final with almost no oxygen, with 5 or 6 injured & 1 suspended. Uruguay is in a different state. Their key players r rested, but we will fight 2 the utmost."

Paraguay r sweating on the fitness of Roque Santa Cruz aft the striker lasted just 6 mins against Venezuela b4 having 2 be taken off thru injury. Jonathan Santana will certainly miss out aft his sending-off in the semi-finals. Tabarez, meanwhile, will weigh up whether 2 gamble on Edinson Cavani's fitness, in particular aft Napoli president Antonio De Laurentiis stated: "I'll kill them if they've broken my Edinson."

Uruguay player 2 watch: Luis Suarez. The twinkle-toed attacker will finish as top goalscorer of the tournament should he net on Sunday. Suarez currently has 3 goals 2 his name, the same number as Argentina's Sergio Aguero. Liverpool's Suarez boasts much quality, & he could be the deciding factor when the 2 sides clash. His dovetailing with strike partner Diego Forlan will give Paraguay's defence much 2 consider.

Paraguay player to watch: Paulo da Silva. As the 'stats' section of this preview indicates, Paraguay r no strangers 2 playing without the ball, hence it is imperative they r switched on when not in possession. Da Silva, 1s of Sunderland, has been snarling in the tackle during the competition, managing 29 successful dispossessions 2 date. The Real Zaragoza centre-back looks set 4 a busy outing.

Key Battle: Diego Lugano v Santa Cruz (if fit). The latter's availability would act as a huge fillip 4 Paraguay, but even if the ManC flop proves available he faces a stern task against the impressive Lugano. The Fenerbahce defender has been imposing in the heart of Uruguay's defence, receiving plaudits fr sections of the press.

Trivia: Tis is only the 2nd Copa America final in 22 years when neither Brazil or Argentina will compete 4 the title.

Stats: Paraguay hv recorded the most unsuccessful passes in the tournament, with 223 going astray. But they hv managed the most successful tackles, @ 162.

Prediction: Fatigue will be an intriguing issue with Paraguay having endured some draining outings in their route 2 the final. Can their defence can hold out concentration for 90 plus mins against the buzzing Suarez? The bookmakers hv Uruguay down as weighty favs, & it is hard 2 look beyond La Celeste. Paraguay's pluck, demonstrated throughout, has been hard 2 ignore, & they r the unfashionable side 2 tip. Despite the temptation 2 be rogue, Uruguay should win.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

3rd Place Place Off
Peru 4-1 Venezuela

Final
24 July - Uruguay vs Paraguay


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María & Gonzalo Higuaín)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes,Arturo Vidal & Humberto Suazo)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz,Nelson Haedo Valdez,Antolín Alcaraz,Lucas Barrios & Cristian Riveros)
Peru(Carlos Lobatón, Juan Manuel Vargas & William Chiroque)
Uruguay(Diego Pérez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González,José Salomón Rondón,Nicolás Fedor, Grenddy Perozo,Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, Gabriel Cichero & Juan Arango)

2 goals -
Brazil(Alexandre Pato & Neymar)
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Ecuador(Felipe Caicedo)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)

5 goals -
Peru(José Paolo Guerrero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

Uruguay Played5 Won2 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA3 GD+3 Pts=9
Paraguay Played5 Won0 Draw5 Lose0 GS5 GA5 GD0 Pts=5

Final Position
1)
2)
3) Peru Played6 Won3 Draw1 Lose2 GS8 GA5 GD+3 Pts=10
4) Venezuela Played6 Won2 Draw3 Lose1 GS7 GA8 GD-1 Pts=9
5) Chile Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS5 GA4 GD+1 Pts=7
6) Colombia Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=7
7) Argentina Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS5 GA2 GD+3 Pts=6
8) Brazil Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=6
9) Costa Rica Played3 Won1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=3
10) Ecuador Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD−3 Pts=1
11) Bolivia Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD−4 Pts=1
12) Mexico Played3 Won0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 −3 Pts=0

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=317559&cc=4716

Guerrero hat-trick powers Peru to third

Paolo Guerrero bagged an assured hat-trick as Peru clinched 3rd place in the Copa America with an entertaining victory over 10-man Venezuela in La Plata.

William Chiroque opened his international account 2 hand Peru a 1st-half lead b4 Venezuela were hit by the harsh dismissal of Tomas Rincon 13 mins in2 the 2nd half.

Guerrero bagged his 1st of the night on 63 minutes but Juan Fernando Arango put Venezuela back in the match 13 minutes fr time with a crisp finish.

Guerrero had the final say, however, completing his treble with 2 late strikes 2 move clear as the tournament's top scorer on 5 goals.

Peru had the better of the opening exchanges but could manage only 2 half-chances in the 1st 20 minutes, with Christian Ramos' downward header fr a corner & Carlos Lobaton's dangerously flicked on free-kick both picked off by Venezuela goalkeeper Renny Vega.

On 37 mins Peru went close again when Rinaldo Cruzado's cute 1-2 with Chiroque ended with the latter firing against the legs of the keeper.

Venezuela grew as the half wore on, & Giancarlos Maldonado had a goal correctly chalked off 4 offside on 29 mins, while 2 minutes later the same player saw his cheeky backheeled effort also ruled out aft he strayed beyond the last man in the build-up.

Maldonado was in the thick of the action again on 34 mins, nodding the ball down 4 Miku who turned his man b4 firing in a shot tat produced a smart save fr Raul Fernandez.

But 4 all Venezuela's increasing pressure, it was Peru who found themselves ahead on 42 mins.

A quick break did the damage, Chiroque running @ the last 2 defenders b4 picking out Guerrero, who squared the ball 4 Chiroque 2 bundle home.

Venezuelan hopes of drawing level were hit just b4 the hour when they were reduced to 10 men.

Rincon, who missed his side's semi-final defeat due 2 a red card in the quarter-final win over Chile, was harshly dismissed again on 58 mins when Carlos Lobaton made a meal of a challenge tat merited a yellow card @ most.

And within 5 mins Peru had made their man advantage tell, Guerrero combining well with Chiroque b4 the Hamburg striker lashed high in2 the net 2 register his 3rd goal of the tournament.

Venezuela got back in2 the match on 78 mins when Yoandry Orozco's superb 20-yard thru ball was taken down by Arango, who kept his cool 2 convert sweetly with the outside of his left boot.

Mins later Arango's free-kick was poorly dealt with by Fernandez, whose parry went back in2 the danger zone only 4 Gabriel Cichero 2 blaze wide with the goal gaping.

And Cichero's miss was punished 2 the full in the 90th min when Guerrero was played in, the striker taking a touch b4 burying the ball precisely in the opposite corner.

The man-light Venezuelan defence was by now run in2 the ground, & 3 mins in2 stoppage time Guerrero grabbed his 3rd aft being played in by Luis Advincula, the hitman again showing a cool head as he tucked the ball home low in2 the net.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

3rd Place Place Off
Peru 4-1 Venezuela

Final
Uruguay 3-0 Paraguay


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María & Gonzalo Higuaín)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes,Arturo Vidal & Humberto Suazo)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz,Nelson Haedo Valdez,Antolín Alcaraz,Lucas Barrios & Cristian Riveros)
Peru(Carlos Lobatón, Juan Manuel Vargas & William Chiroque)
Uruguay(Diego Pérez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González,José Salomón Rondón,Nicolás Fedor, Grenddy Perozo,Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, Gabriel Cichero & Juan Arango)

2 goals -
Brazil(Alexandre Pato & Neymar)
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Ecuador(Felipe Caicedo)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira & Diego Forlán)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)

4 goals -
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)

5 goals -
Peru(José Paolo Guerrero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica


Final Position
1) Uruguay Played6 Won3 Draw3 Lose0 GS9 GA3 GD+6 Pts=12
2) Paraguay Played6 Won0 Draw5 Lose1 GS5 GA8 GD-3 Pts=5
3) Peru Played6 Won3 Draw1 Lose2 GS8 GA5 GD+3 Pts=10
4) Venezuela Played6 Won2 Draw3 Lose1 GS7 GA8 GD-1 Pts=9
5) Chile Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS5 GA4 GD+1 Pts=7
6) Colombia Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=7
7) Argentina Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS5 GA2 GD+3 Pts=6
8) Brazil Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=6
9) Costa Rica Played3 Won1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=3
10) Ecuador Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD−3 Pts=1
11) Bolivia Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD−4 Pts=1
12) Mexico Played3 Won0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 −3 Pts=0

[machoman]

Uruguay 3-0 Paraguay
Suarez pays tribute to team-mates
July 24, 2011
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By ESPNsoccernet staff

Luis Suarez was named Player of the Tournament after helping Uruguay to a 3-0 victory over Paraguay but paid credit to his team-mates for the success.

Associated
Luis Suarez leaps in delight after putting Uruguay 1-0 ahead

• Uruguay 3-0 Paraguay
• Copa America gallery

Suarez scored the opening goal and set up Diego Forlan for the third to round off a hugely impressive tournament as Uruguay cruised to victory.

However, Suarez sought to play down his own role in the success as he played up the group effort.

"We played as a group," Suarez said. "I think when groups are united like this, everyone together and going for the same thing, you can get things done. We have a huge joy to give this title to our people. This is an indescribable feeling.

"The important thing was getting started well. With two goals in the first half, I think it was very difficult for them to come back."

Forlan said afterwards that he was delighted to follow in the footsteps of his father, Pablo Forlan, and grandfather, Juan Carlos Corazo, in winning the tournament.

"My grandfather won it, my father won it and now I have won it," he said. "It is a pride for the family."

He added: "It was a complicated match, we knew it, but the team played well. The goals and the way Uruguay started out helped us. We are happy, for all of Uruguay, for everyone, to celebrate."

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...he-way?cc=4716

Uruguay light the way
July 25, 2011

In the end, it was only a slightly surprising result. The 2011 Copa America might not hv gone the way of holders Brazil or hosts & fav Argentina, but Uruguay were probably the next in line 2 win it. Sunday afternoon's 3-0 win over Paraguay was the result most expected aft the semi-finals, & sees the Celeste lift their 15th Copa, pulling clear of Argentina, who they'd previously been level with on 14 tournament wins.

The 1st Copa America (under a different name) took place in Argentina in 1916, & on its 95th anniversary the tournament returned 2 Argentina, & had the same winner. All the same, football has moved on alot in the intervening years, & the world's oldest international football tournament sees those winners claiming the trophy in very different circumstances 2 tat 1st tournament.

Aft so many shocks had come earlier in the Copa, the older order started 2 establish itself when former winners Peru beat Venezuela - whose status as South American also-rans was only definitively cast off during tis year's tournament - 4-1 in the 3rd-place playoff on Saturday. On Sunday, it was fully established in a game Paraguay never looked liked forcing their way in2.

Uruguay dominated the 1st half, & indeed the game. Just 1 min in, Paraguay's Argentine-born midfielder Nestor Ortigoza beat away a header fr Sebastian Coates on the goal-line with his hands, & tat just served 2 foreshadow Uruguay's dominance in the game. Luis Suarez's opener was deflected, but was richly deserved all the same, even only 11 mins in2 the match.

Aft tat 1st goal, Uruguay arguably dominated even more. B4 the goal the game had looked really promising fr a neutral point of view; Paraguay had countered dangerously & Ortigoza was key 2 their game, launching 1 superb ball in2 the Uruguayan half mins aft tat penalty line hand ball. With some of his challenges, Ortigoza was maybe a little lucky not 2 get booked, but all the same the deep-lying playmaker was crucial 2 Paraguay's game plan.

Of course, Paraguay were 2-0 down @ the interval, & tat rather heavily suggested tat Oscar Washington Tabarez's men had been the better-drilled. Gerardo Martino, the Argentine manager of Paraguay, appeared 2 hv put out a team 2 contain Uruguay's attacking threat. He failed, emphatically so. In Ortigoza & Cristian Riveros, Uruguay had the comfort of knowing their opponents weren't set up 2 counter rapidly - & I say tat with no disrespect intended 2 those 2 players.

Uruguay also managed their own space very well. Closing down collectively, they ensured Paraguay's 4wards remained isolated fr their midfield. Any danger there was, was comfortably nullified by Paraguay's general poor 4ward play.

Tat wasn't, of course, a problem Uruguay themselves suffered fr. Luis Suarez made as much as a nuisance of himself as ever, & Diego Forlan - who until now has had a fairly understated tournament - was superb on the big stage. His 2nd goal, in stoppage time, was brilliantly set up with a headed thru ball fr Suarez aft Edinson Cavani's pass (almost the 1st thing Cavani's done all tournament, incidentally), & brought Forlan level with 1920s great Hector Scarone as Uruguay's joint top goalscorer of all time.

Forlan's 2 goals were his 1st since last year's WC semi-final, & the 1st strike with abt 5 mins left of the 1st half sent Uruguay's fans in the Estadio Monumental in2 dreamland. Fr then until half time, the noise was incredible.

In the 2nd half Paraguay were obliged 2 come out & take the game by the scruff of the neck 4 the 1st time in the tournament. They nvr really managed it, although they had a spell 4 perhaps the 1st half of the half in which they looked a far better team than they had b4 the break. Their 4wards remained isolated, though, & although Nelson Haedo Valdez hit the crossbar, it became apparent tat the victory was assured 4 Uruguay when the red-and-white waves continued 2 crash against the wall of blue defenders.

Uruguay continued 2 counter well, & with just under half an hour 2 play Tabarez sent on Edinson Cavani. Until tat point Paraguay's left-back Elvis Marecos had been pressing on 2 add width 2 the attack, & Cavani was told 2 stick to the right wing, thus pushing back Marecos. The fact tat the Napoli 4ward was introduced just moments b4 Martino sent on Marcelo Estigarribia 2 partner Marecos on the left seemed like luck on Tabarez's part, but either way Cavani's introduction proved a masterstroke. Until then, Uruguay had virtually ignored the left flank in midfield, & his presence gave Marecos crucial food 4 thought initially, though Cavani drifted across 2 the left frequently on the counter.

Trying 2 pick out Uruguay's outstanding player fr the match is hard though, & tat's a credit 2 the reason they've won tis trophy; their team play. Egidio Arevalo Rios was superb, especially in the 1st half, @ combating Paraguay's midfield & starting Uruguayan attacks. Diego Lugano led the defence as well as ever. Sebastian Coates, who was awarded the gong 4 Best Young Player of the tournament aft the game, was also a rock. Coates is only 20, but slotted in effortlessly alongside Lugano, & is clearly a player with a big future.

Uruguay hv fantastic spirit, & alot of promise, then. They've also got a superb manager in Tabarez, whose return 2 the national team in 2006 is now looking like an inspired choice. I wrote just over a year ago 4 ESPNsoccernet tat Uruguay's WC semi-final was a demonstration tat their football was climbing out of a rut.

As the confetti settles, Uruguay's win is a win 4 tradition in some senses. But it's also a demonstration tat a country tat wasn't supposed 2 still be able 2 compete with powerhouses Brazil & Argentina can still do so, & can even show them how it's meant 2 be done.