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Argentina down Mexico to book Copa America clash with Brazil
Thu 12 Jul, 05:24 AM

- Argentina defeated Mexico 3-0 here Wednesday to set up a tantalizing Copa America final with defending champions Brazil.

Gabriel Heinze, Lionel Messi and Juan Roman Riquelme all scored as Alfio Basile's side outgunned Mexico to book their place in Sunday's showpiece encounter at the Jose Pachencho Romero Stadium in Maracaibo.

On Sunday, Argentina will be bidding for a record 15th Copa America title against seven-times and reigning champins Brazil, who defeated Uruguay 5-4 on penalties on Tuesday in the first semi-final, which ended 2-2 after regular time.

Mexico and Uruguay will play for third place on Saturday in Caracas.

Due to the big time difference i didnt get to watch much of the Copa America...but from what i ve seen Argentina seems the team to beat...Basile engaged a full squad to regain the title and no surprise was seen as Argentina made their way peacefully to the final beating every single team by 3 goals or more...Basile kept a classic line-up...Crespo's injury though gave Milito the chance to take over the starting position of striker with Tevez being the team's joker...Riquelme and Messi are both having a fantastic Copa America by being hyper-active on the left and right sides...Basile also combined succesfully Mascherano and Cambiasso as the 2 defensive midfielders which gave his team an obvious advantage over other squads...the only weakness could come from the defence but Sergio Milito and co proved to be very solid in front of Abbondanzieri...as for Brazil, Dunga decided to go for a younger squad...no Kaka Ronaldinho or Ronaldo...Robinho is the team's leader...backed-up by Diego and Wagner Love he managed to make his team overcome the 1st defeat against Mexico to get through the quarter-finals where they sweeped Chile by 6 goals to 1...the semi-final though was much harder and Brazil could only make it thank to the penalties kicks against Diego Forlan's teammates...as mentionned before its Robinho who stepped up as this team's leader and became the leading scorer and main attraction...Brazil once again are showing a spectacular football but its costing them to have some defensive widenesses(and looking at the number of goals they conceded that could turn out to be more than just a minor problem)...

as for the final i ll pronostic Argentina...but 2 yrs ago Argentina was the bookmakers choice and Brazil ended up taking the trophy home...if the Argentinian's defence can manage to control the brazilian speed they will be the winners...as for Brazil they should take less risks because up front they have a triple threat and much to handle with a mixture of technicity(Riquelme)technicity and speed(Messi) and power(Milito)...

^ The previous Copa America was in 2004 on the 25th July actually
I remember watching it with my cousin at our friend's place in Poland. It was past 11pm, this time the games are transmitted after 2am! I guess that the organizers didn't think about the European telespectators...
Brazil's defeat against Mexico made me doubtful and worried about the following games. Most of the squad is made of young players, most of them playing in the Brazilian league. Robinho, Diego, Julio Baptista and Vagner Love stand out. I'm really happy for Robinho cuz he had a tough season 2005-2006 and the first half of 2006-2007 then his talent exploded and he was able to show all his potential! Everyone i know, and i mean everyone, gave up hope on him and considered him just a normal player. Now i remind them this. With Kaka' and Ronaldinho back in the squad later on there will be great and fast offensive actions. As for now, Robinho's doing a great job leading his team to the 8th Copa America victory (i hope!). Having a young team (like Arsenal actually) has advantages (power, great ambition and dynamism) and inconvenients (lack of experience that can result in huge mistakes).
Mexico had a big probability to reach the final. This team was really good in this Copa America but Argentina was much much better, for sure the most efficient team offensively and defensively. Messi is a real threat (reminds me of Cristiano Ronaldo) and with Riquelme as the leader it's gonna be a beautiful and magic game. Unless both teams will be careful and not display this amazing South American style. The best way to win this game is for Brazil to attack right from the start instead of waiting for the Argentinian attacks and play on counter-attack, but the defenders have to be concentrated all the time.
Go Canarinhos !!!
I wish i could watch this game