2007 Copa América Final

The 2007 Copa América Final was the final match of the 2007 Copa América. It was held on 15 July 2007 in Maracaibo, Venezuela, between Brazil and Argentina. Brazil won 3–0, with goals from Júlio Baptista, a Roberto Ayala own goal and Dani Alves. Brazil won their eighth title, while Argentina could have won their fifteenth.[2]

2007 Copa América Final
Event2007 Copa América
Brazil Argentina
3 0
DateJuly 15, 2007
VenueEstadio José Pachencho Romero, Maracaibo
RefereeCarlos Amarilla (Paraguay)
Attendance40,000
WeatherMostly cloudy
32 °C (90 °F)[1]

Background
Main article: Argentina–Brazil football rivalry

It was the second consecutive final between Brazil and Argentina; Brazil had won the 2004 Final in a penalty shootout against Argentina. The match ended 2–2 after extra time: Kily González opened the scoring with a penalty, and Luisão headed an equaliser at the start of the second half. César Delgado put Argentina back into the lead with three minutes of normal time remaining, but Adriano equalised in added time. In the shootout, Brazil's Júlio César saved the first Argentine penalty by Andrés D'Alessandro while Gabriel Heinze missed,[3] and defender Juan scored the winner.[4]

Route to the final
Brazil Round Argentina
Opponent Result Group stage Opponent Result
 Mexico 0–2 Match 1  United States 4–1
 Chile 3–0 Match 2  Colombia 4–2
 Ecuador 1–0 Match 3  Paraguay 1–0
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Mexico 321041+37
 Brazil 320142+26
 Chile 311135−24
 Ecuador 300336−30
 Final standings
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Argentina 330093+69
 Paraguay 320182+66
 Colombia 310239−63
 United States 300328−60
Opponent Result Knockout stage Opponent Result
 Chile 6–1 Quarter-finals  Peru 4–0
 Uruguay 2–2
(5–4 pen.)		 Semi-finals  Mexico 3–0

Match

Officials

Paraguayan Carlos Amarilla was chosen to be the referee, having also refereed the 2004 Final.[5] In the 2007 tournament he refereed two more matches, Uruguay against Peru, and Chile against Mexico, both of the first round.

Team selection

Of Argentina's team which took part in the 2004 Final, Roberto Abbondanzieri, Javier Zanetti, Gabriel Heinze, Roberto Ayala, Javier Mascherano, and Carlos Tevez started in the 2007 edition, with Lucho González a starter in 2004 and substitute in 2007.[3][6] For Brazil, Juan and Maicon started both, with Diego a substitute in both.[3][6]

Synopsis

Brazil took the lead in the fourth minute through Júlio Baptista, set up by Elano. Thirty minutes later, however, Elano went off injured to be replaced by Dani Alves. Alves sent in a cross in the 40th minute, which Ayala deflected for an own goal past Abbondanzieri to double Brazil's lead at half time.

In the 59th minute, Argentina substituted defensive midfielder Esteban Cambiasso for attacking alternative Pablo Aimar. Ten minutes later, Brazil scored their third and final goal: Vágner Love began a counterattack, running up the pitch and setting up Alves to score.[7]

Details
Brazil 3–0 Argentina
Baptista  4'
Ayala  40' (o.g.)
Dani Alves  69'		 Report
Attendance: 40,000
Brazil
Argentina
GK12Doni 51'
RB2Maicon
CB4Juan (c)
CB3Alex 37'
LB6Gilberto 54'
DM5Mineiro
DM17Josué 82'
AM7Elano 34'
AM19Júlio Baptista 68'
FW11Robinho 90'
FW9Vágner Love 90'
Substitutions:
RB13Dani Alves 34'
DM18Fernando Menegazzo 90'
AM10Diego 90'
Manager:
Dunga
GK1Roberto Abbondanzieri
RB8Javier Zanetti
CB2Roberto Ayala (c)
CB15Gabriel Milito
LB6Gabriel Heinze
DM14Javier Mascherano 44'
CM20Juan Sebastián Verón 67'
CM19Esteban Cambiasso 59'
AM10Juan Román Riquelme
ST18Lionel Messi
ST11Carlos Tevez 75'
Substitutions:
AM16Pablo Aimar 59'
CM13Lucho González 67'
Manager:
Alfio Basile

References
  1. http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/SVMC/2007/7/15/DailyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA
  2. "Copa América 1916-2011". RSSSF. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  3. "Copa América 2004". RSSSF. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  4. O'Connor, Michael (26 July 2004). "Brazil snatch cup in late twist". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  5. "Copa América – El polémico Carlos Amarilla será el árbitro de Argentina-Uruguay" [Copa América – The controversial Carlos Amarilla will be the referee in Argentina-Uruguay]. Telediario Digital (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  6. "Copa América 2007". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  7. Smyth, Rob (15 July 2007). "Argentina 0 - 3 Brazil". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
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