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Brazil win Copa America final
Brazil defeated Argentina 4-2 on penalties in the Copa America final.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 09:08 AM IST
Read Time: 2 min
Lima:
Goalkeeper Julio Cesar blocked Andres D'Alessandro's shot and Gabriel Heinze missed over the crossbar as Brazil defeated Argentina 4-2 on penalties in the Copa America final.
The archrivals played to a thrilling 2-2 draw in regulation in a near capacity National Stadium yesterday.
Cesar, who had blocked a shot in the shootout against Uruguay in the semifinals, dove to his right to stop D'Alessandro's opening attempt for Argentina. Defender Heinze then missed the second shot.
However, Brazil made all of its penalty kicks, capped by defender Juan for their seventh Copa title.
Adriano, Edu, Diego and Juan all scored for the world champions, while only Cristian Gonzalez and Juan Pablo Sorin netted for Argentina.
Brazil had to equalize twice in injury time of each half, the last time in the third minute of second-half injury time by Adriano, the tournament's top scorer with seven goals.
Argentina had only gone ahead in the 87th minute, when replacement striker Javier Delgado's powerful shot appeared to have won the Albiceleste's record 15th Copa title.
But Adriano's equalizer began a squabble between both teams on the field when Argentina players took exception to taunts from Brazil's bench. Referee Carlos Amarilla requested riot police to separate the sides.
Midfielder Cristian Gonzalez had put Argentina ahead with a penalty in the 20th after Brazil defender Luisao brought down midfielder Luis Gonzalez inside the box.
Luisao then made up for the penalty-kick foul when he headed in a free kick from playmaker Alex a minute into first-half injury time.
Luisao would miss his team's celebrations. He was carried off in the 82nd minute bleeding from the nose following a clash of heads with Argentina captain Roberto Ayala, and immediately taken by ambulance to hospital. Team doctors said Luisao lost his memory but was conscious at the hospital and not seriously injured.
It was Brazil's third title in four Copas, and the team's seventh overall. It capped an unexpectedly successful campaign by a second-string side. (AP)
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