Copa America Cup

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Colombia reach last eight](BBC SPORT | Football | Other Internationals | Colombia reach last eight)

Colombia 1-0 Bolivia

Perea’s late goal gave Colombia a quarter-final berth
Defending champions Colombia became the first team to qualify for the Copa America quarter-finals, but had to rely on a late winner from substitute Edixon Perea.

Parea headed home in the 89th minute of a match which had until then been short on chances.

Colombia’s best chance of a tepid first half came in the 37th minute, but Bolivia keeper Luis Fernandez easily handled a free-kick by Abel Aguilar.

Five minutes later, Bolivia’s Ronaldo Arana might have done better with a shooting chance just inside the box, but his strike rolled into Juan Carlos Henao’s arms.

Colombia had two early chances soon after the interval, when a shot by Oscar Diaz hit Fernandez in the chest before bouncing away and Tressor Moreno beat several Bolivian defenders but shot over the crossbar.

But as a draw looked likely, Parea popped up to ensure his side’s final group game against Peru is meaningless.

Peru 3-1 Venezuela

Nolberto Solano scored a goal and set up another as hosts Peru comfortably beat Venezuela 3-1 and moved closer to securing a quarter-final berth.

Solano netted in the 62nd minute and 10 minutes later directed a free-kick at Santiago Acasiete, who scored with a header.

In between those two goals, Venezuela saw Miguel Mea sent off for a foul on Roberto Palacios.

Jefferson Farfan had put Peru ahead in the first half after spotting keeper Gilberto Angelucci off his line.

Massimo Margiotta slotted home a consolation for Venezuela in the 74th minute, but they remain rooted to the bottom of Group A after two defeats.

Peru, who had captain Claudio Pizarro sent off for a second bookable offence in the 86th minute, are second and face Colombia in their final group game on Monday.

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First major upset is here...

Argentina 0-1 Mexico.

But the level of refereeing(sp?) in this tournament has been appalling. Today two clear handballs in the box from mexican defenders were not spotted. Not just in this match but almost in every game.

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Mexico stun Argentina](BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Mexico stun Argentina)

Mexico 1-0 Argentina

Morales’ goal left Argentina third in Group B
A brilliant Ramon Morales free-kick gave Mexico a shock win over Group B rivals Argentina in the Copa America.

Argentina, who had not lost against Mexico for 14 years, had begun the tournament with a 6-1 demolition of Ecuador but the defeat at the hands of Mexico will increase the pressure on under-fire coach Marcelo Bielsa.

Argentina, now third in the group behind Uruguay and Mexico, never managed to find the flowing football they produced against Ecuador.

Javier Saviola, who scored a hat-trick on Wednesday, produced only fleeting patches of his best form.

Argentina made a bright start but were stunned in the ninth minute when Morales opened the scoring with a swerving free-kick that flew into the top corner past helpless goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.

The goal unsettled the Argentines, who resorted to some rough tackling to halt the Mexican counter-attacks.

Jesus Arellano, in particular, was a menace to the Argentines almost every time he got the ball.

GROUP B

  1. Uruguay 4pts
  2. Mexico 4pts
  3. Argentina 3pt
  4. Ecuador 0pts

Remaining fixtures:
13 July: Mexico v Ecuador
13 July: Argentina v Uruguay
Mexico had an excellent chance to increase their lead just before half-time when Jared Borgetti was first to Pavel Pardo’s free-kick but his header was weak and easily saved.

Almost immediately at the other end, Argentine striker Cesar Delgado popped up unmarked on the right to meet a floated cross from Andres D’Alessandro but he fired his effort over the crossbar.

Argentina took control after half-time, forcing a flurry of corners in the first quarter of an hour.

They were twice denied by goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez, who blocked a shot by Luis Gonzalez and then brilliantly pushed away Roberto Ayala’s header following a corner.

But Argentina could not find an equaliser and now face a crucial third game against current leaders Uruguay on 13 July.

Uruguay 2-1 Ecuador

Bueno set up a crunch final game against Argentina in Group C
Carlos Bueno stabbed home a 79th-minute goal to give Uruguay victory over Ecuador in Group B.

Manchester United striker Diego Forlan put Uruguay ahead just after the hour mark with an incisive run and shot from outside the box.

However, Ecuador hit back when Ulises de la Cruz’s cross created confusion in the penalty area and substitute Franklin Salas smacked home the equaliser from close range.

But just six minutes later, Uruguay were back in front.

Ecuador keeper Oswaldo Ibarra fumbled a shot from Vicente Sanchez and Bueno was quickest to the loose ball.

It was no more than Uruguay deserved, despite a much-improved performance from Ecuador, who were thrashed 6-1 by Argentina in their opening game.

Hosts Peru have lost their captain Claudio Pizarro for the rest of the tournament after he received a serious head injury in his country’s 3-1 win over Venezuela on Friday.

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Brazil crush Costa Rica](BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Brazil crush Costa Rica)

Adriano struck a hat-trick as Brazil ran out easy victors over Costa Rica and booked their quarter-final place.

Brazil took the lead just before half-time when Adriano latched on to a long pass from Alex and deceived keeper Ricardo Gonzalez before firing home.

Juan doubled the lead after playing a one-two with Alex before Adriano headed his second from a corner.

The striker completed his hat-trick from close range, with Luis Marin scoring a late consolation.

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was pleased to see his side recover from a poor first half to coact to victory.

“The only good thing that came out of the first half was the goal,” Parreira said.

“The midfield never connected with the attack, thankfully we corrected that, allowing us to easily win in the second period.”

Chile 1-1 Paraguay

Paraguay edged closer to qualification for the Copa America quarter-finals with a draw against Chile.

GROUP C

  1. Brazil 6pts
  2. Paraguay 4pts
  3. Chile 1pt
  4. Costa Rica 0pts

Remaining fixtures:
14 July: Chile v Costa Rica
14 July: Brazil v Paraguay
They now need a point from their final Group C match with Brazil, while Chile must beat Costa Rica and hope other results go in their favour.

Chile went ahead in the 71st minute when Mauricio Aros’ cross from the left was met by Sebastian Gonzalez.

But eight minutes later Ernesto Cristaldo beat keeper Claudio Bravo with a magnificent long-range shot.

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Peru 2- 2Columbia Bolivia 1-1 Venezuela](BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Solano leads Peru fightback)

Peru 2-2 Colombia
Nolberto Solano scored with a superb free-kick and set up another goal to help Peru fight back against Colombia in the Copa America.

Edwin Congo headed Colombia in front in the 33rd minute before Abel Aguilar added the second from an Elkin Murillo cross shortly after the break.

Aston Villa’s Solano reduced the deficit with a 57th minute free-kick.

Three minutes later he found Andres Mendoza, who headed the ball across goal and Flavio Maestri equalised.

Both sides have qualified for the next stage.

**Bolivia 1-1 Venezuela **

Bolivia have a slim chance of advancing at the Copa America as one of the two best third-placed teams in the three groups after their draw with Venezuela.

Ruberth Moran put Group A basement side Venezuela ahead from a rebound in the 27th minute before Gonzalo Galindo equalised six minutes later.

The draw means that Mexico and Uruguay qualify from Group B and Paraguay will go through from Group C.

Bolivia’s fate depends upon the Group C result between Costa Rica and Chile

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Final Pool B matches :

Mexico 2-1 Ecuador
Argentine 4-2 Uruguay

Uruguay will play Brazil in Quarter finals and Argentina will play Peru.

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Two surprising results

Brazil 2:1 Paraguay
Chile 1:2 Costa Rica

An embarrassing result for Brazilians. They have finished second in the group and now they will face Mexico in toughest of the quarter finals. Their 17 match unbeaten run is finished too.

Surprisingly Chileans are throuwn out by an injury time winner from costarica..

Quarter Finals Line up

**Argentine v Peru

Columbia v Costa Rica

Brazil v Mexico

Paraguay v Uruguay **

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Brazil against Mexico will be a very intersting match to watch.

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**Argentina 1-0 Peru

Columbia 2-0 Costarica **

First semi final will be between Argentina and Columbia. I watched the second match and Columbia is a really good team. I thought they were just okay but today they were awsome. Should be a good encounter with Argentina

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**Uruguay 3-1 Paraguay

Brazil 4- 0 Mexico **

I thoguht Brazil Mexico was going to be the match of the tournamen but Brazil really drubbed Mexicans. It is amazing that even with this young side Brazil has got so talented strikers enough to give Ronaldo and Ronaldinho a run for their places. Adriano who has scored five goald and Fabiano really have scored consistently in this tournament.

Semi Final Line up

**Argentine v Columbia (Tuesday)

Brazil v Uruguay (Wednesday)**

A Brazil-Argentine final is on cards.

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saby - Dont overlook Colombia - Although Argentina will be expected to win - Colombia did dominate them in a friendly match 2 weeks ago with both teams playing the same players that will be playing in the semis.

Adriano now leading Copa America with goals - but I've read Brasilians aren't too high on Adriano because he doesn't fit Brasil's style of play. Any truth to this?

In my mind he has become one of the best strikers in the world at the moment - and is only getting better - he was a little inconsistent for Inter last season (due to injuries) but he showed up big when they needed him...

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Columbia is a dangerouso team no doubt but Argentina has shown enough striking power and class so far that it would be a upset if they lose.

Regarding Adriano, I totally agree that he is as deadly a striker as they can be. But i dont agree with that 'Brazillian style of play' thing.

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*Argentina have emphatically defeated Columbia 3-0 * in the semifinal to reach final either against Brazil or Uruguay which will be decided tomorrow.

Amazing performance by them, totally dominated defending champions.

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**Argentina into Copa final **

Argentina swept defending champions Colombia aside 3-0 to reach their 25th Copa America final.
Carlos Tevez scored from a free-kick to give favourites Argentina a half-time lead in Lima.

Luis Gonzalez added a second soon after the break to put Argentina firmly in command.

Defender Juan Pablo Sorin’s diving header rounded off an impressive performance against a disappointing Colombia who rarely threatened.

Tevez, who scored the quarter-final winner against Peru after coming on as substitute, justified his place in the starting line-up by curling a 25-yard shot around the Colombian wall.

It was no more than Argentina deserved after dominating proceedings from the first whistle.

Tevez and Sorin both went close and Cristian Gonzalez saw his 24th minute lob headed off the line by covering defender Andres Gonzalez.

After Tevez’s opener, Colombian keeper Juan Carlos Henao denied both Luciano Figueroa and Cesar Delgado before the interval.

Argentina needed only five minutes of the second half to double their lead.

Figueroa broke down the left and as the Colombian defence failed to cut out his cross, Gonzalez stroked the ball in for his second goal of the tournament.

The goal knocked the fight out of Colombia who never looked like getting back into the game against an impressive Argentina.

As they cruised through the final 40 minutes, it was no surprise when Sorin iced the cake with a diving header from Mauro Rosales well-delivered free-kick.

Argentina will face either Uruguay or Brazil who meet in the second semi-final on Wednesday.

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*Brazil def Uruguay on penalties to go through to final *

1-1 at full time, Brazil has passed the penalties test to go through.

We have a dream final ahead

*Brazil v Argentina *

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**Brazil reach Copa final **

Brazil kept their nerve in a penalty shoot-out against Uruguay to clinch a Copa America final showdown against Argentina.
Marcelo Sosa’s header gave Uruguay a deserved lead, but some dreadful finishing proved to be their undoing.

Adriano equalised for Brazil who almost avoided penalties when Luis Fabiano went agonisingly close near the end.

Brazil converted all five of their penalties, with Julio Cesar’s save from Vicente Sanchez proving decisive.

Uruguay made a lively start and nearly went ahead in the second minute when Dario Silva was given a clear run on goal but shot straight at goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Silva was again the culprit 11 minutes later when he contrived to miss an open goal from point-blank range, somehow turning Carlos Diogo’s header onto the crossbar when it seemed impossible to miss.

Uruguay, however, took the lead when Javier Delgado floated over a free kick from the left and midfielder Sosa stooped to head the ball past Julio Cesar.

Julio Cesar’s save proved decisive

Sosa and Delgado both came close to increasing Uruguay’s lead before halftime, the latter seeing his swerving free kick turned away by Julio Cesar.

Uruguay goalkeeper Sebastian Viera made two good first half saves, punching over Kleberson’s drive early on and then turning away a cunning Edu chip in injury time.

Brazil emerged in a different frame of mind after halftime and levelled almost straight away when Alex set Luis Fabiano away on the right and his low shot was turned in from close range by Adriano.

Adriano threatened with two left-foot shots in the next three minutes as Brazil began to take control.

The game lost momentum before bursting back into life in the final five minutes, when Luis Fabiano was agonisingly close for Brazil and Maicon was denied by Viera.

Silva, whose first-half missed was to prove costly, had another good chance but his shot was blocked by Juan.

In the penalty shoot-out, Luisao, Fabiano, Adriano and Renato all slotted home their penalty kicks for Brazil, who came to the tournament without many of theri stars such as Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

But after Silva, Viera and Omar Pouso netted for Uruguay, Julio Cesar plunged to his left to stop Sanchez’s penalty, leaving Alex to slot the decider past Viera.

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How can we see it in USA?

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Ar gen tiii naaaa :dhimpak:

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Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr azil :rotato:

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Brazil has won the copa america with a thrilling penalty shootout win. Match itself was equally nail biting. Adriana, once again has bailed Brazil out with an injury time strike.

Brazil win Copa shoot-out](BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Brazil win Copa shoot-out)

The world champions were on the verge of defeat after Cesar Delgado put the Argentines 2-1 ahead on 87 minutes.

But Adriano’s seventh goal of the competition in the third minute of injury time resulted in a shoot-out.

Brazil then converted their first four penalties to claim the trophy after Andres D’Alessandro and Gabriel Heinze had missed for Argentina.

Juan scored the fourth and decisive Brazilian penalty, following solid conversions by Adriano, Edu and Diego.

Earlier, Argentina had opened the scoring with a 20th-minute penalty from Kily Gonzalez.

But Brazil drew level on the stroke of half-time when centre-half Luisao, who had given away the earlier spot-kick, glanced home Alex’s free-kick.

“We never thought it would be easy,” said Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

“Argentina came with all these experienced players, but our team proved they are capable of overcoming any difficulties.”

Argentina midfielder Javier Zanetti was almost lost for words after the defeat.

“There are things that can’t be explained in soccer,” he said. “That’s what happened against Brazil, we can’t explain what went wrong.”

Adriano’s last-gasp strike in normal time denied Argentina victory and gave Brazil a lifeline.

“I can’t explain how I’m feeling right now,” he said. “This is definitely the greatest moment in my career.”