Sunday, 01 July 07, 10:59 PM
Ok, Robinho showed 10 minutes of his class, but this Brazil full of muscles and centimetres did not deserve such a score. Chile could draw with Humberto Suazo in the second half, but after six, seven dribbles his shot were stopped by Juan. If the player of Monterrey scored, it wouldn't have been easy for the Seleçao to get through but Brazil, good for Dunga, has Robinho.
The Brazilian coach has been criticized for being unexperienced, and maybe he is going against the tradition and the characteristics of the Verde-oro team: no fantasy, a lot of defensive midfielder, no stars (but here it's not Dunga's fault). The quarterfinals seem to be reached, but Brazil needs more if they want to win the Copa. Chile, on the contrary, played well until second Robinho's goal, but they were too nervous during the match, especially after the penalty kick assigne to the Brazilian at the end of first half.
Let's see what happens next Wednesday in Group B, anyway it's a good thing for Brazil that if they will be second at the end, they'll face (what a strange format!) the best third. For Chile it's going to be tough, but beforewe have to wait what happens between Mexico and Ecuador.
Thursday, 28 June 07, 02:22 PM
Copa America is the most important football event of this summer, except for the Brazilian. Anyway, though a lot of stars were on golden beaches to have -at least!- some rest, I think that the fans are really disappointed for their team's defeat.
Here in Italy -6 hours ahead of Venezuela- the game was really late at night, so I preferred to watch the earlier one, same group and same stadium. Ecuador and Chile, no Serie A players involved (not the Romanista Pizarro, neither Jimenez of Lazio), but a very interesting game. I root for Chile, because my neighbours are from Ecuador and always make a lot of noise when they have a party in the garden. Ok, I'm jocking.
I expected Ecuador to win easily, and in fact at the beginning the early goal of Antonio Valencia and the 2-1, a header of Benitez I thought I was right. In the middle, the great shot of Humberto Suazo. Anyway, Ecuador lead at half time, and I was quite sure that the game was over for Chile (former Serie A defender Vargas was so slow!)especially when Suazo missed a chance to equalize on 63 minute. But Suaro scored a goal on 80 minutes (a mistake of Ecuador's defense) and 3' before the end, a great free kick by Carlos Villanueva with his left foot, gave 3 points to Chile. Chile and Mexico 3, Ecuador and Brazil 0: really, really surprising!
Video of the goals:
Ecuador 1-0 Chile (Valencia)
Ecuador 1-1 Chile (Suazo)
Ecuador 2-1 Chile (Benitez)
Ecuador 2-2 Chile (Suazo)
Ecuador 2-3 Chile (Villanueva)
On Wambach-Boxx-Lilly, and the US go to the semi-final!