Latin Kings

With this victory, Uruguay is now the most successful nation in South American football history! 15 Copa America titles! Diego Forlan scored two goals to bring his international total to 31, tying him for the top spot in Uruguayan history. Luis Suarez scored a goal and set up Forlan’s second goal.
Luis Suarez showed early determination, making plays all over the pitch. His first goal was deserved. Brilliant in fact! He faked right and went left. El Pistelero?? Indeed! Forlan then scored a cracking goal to make it 2 – 0 and surely the parties started in the terraces as well as Montevideo.

The second half thankfully did not turn into a kicking and diving contest. Both sides kept creating chances and Paraguay actually got into the game with some excellent pressure. However, Uruguay and Forlan closed the game out with a fantastic counter attacking goal. Cavani passed out to Suarez who then played a perfect header to Forlan who finished with class. Final score: Uruguay 3 – 0 Paraguay
Viva Las Charruas!!!!

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What happened to Argentina and Brazil?

The Albiceleste were clearly the pre-cup favorites. Argentina had a high powered squad that included Tevez, Lavezzi, Aguero, Di Maria and of course the all-world talent of Lionel Messi.
In Argentina's first two games of the tournament, head coach Sergio Baptista played a midfield that included three holding midfielders. A trio including Mascherano, Cambiasso and Benega were dispatched to the middle of the park. Why? They are basically the same player. This left Leo Messi as the only creative force in the side. Terrible early squad selection led to inconsistent football and Argentina never hit their stride.

Baptista finally played a creative squad in their third game of the tournament. Including Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain should have been from the start. Even Maradonna knew to select the young creative guys! Not playing this squad early in the tournament kept the players from gelling. By the time Argentina met the Uruguayans in the semi finals, Uruguay were in form and were capable of beating anyone. It didn’t hurt that Uruguayan keeper Nestor Muslera played out of his mind. His Penalty save against Carlos Teves is for me, one of the plays of the tournament

The Samba Boys.

Watching Brazil in this tournament was like watching an NBA All Star team. All the forwards seemed to be playing for themselves. No one made a pass until they dribbled past two or sometimes three players.

The selfishness of Neymar, Robinho and Dani Alves was embarrassing and hard to watch. Dani Alves biggest contribution to the team was his new mohawk. Brazil coach Mano Menezes deserves a bit of credit for making some good changes to his side. He removed the glory hound Robinho and the world greatest diver Dani Alves from his starting 11.

Brazil looked like they might start playing some Joga Bonito when they put 4 past the Ecuador. However, their run was short lived as they ran into a more determined Paraguayan side. Brazil outplayed Paraguay in the first 90 minutes but fell to pieces in the penalty shootout.