I'm sorry for my US friends and for all US Soccer fan, but as an Italian and an Inter fan, I have to root for Argentina in this Copa America 2007. Half players of the Albiceleste has Italian origins, and the other half plays for Inter! But I also would like to tell you that the USMNT were really ok for one hour: the problem is that it's the last 30 minutes that make the difference between a good team and a top team. And Argentina is full of stars...

Anyway, I was not surprised that theafter US scored first, with a penalty kick by Eddie Johnson of Kansas City, but Argentina was lucky to equalize immediately: Crespo scored with the open goal after a free kick, and after a shot saved by Keller. Good chances for Argentina at the end of first half (especially a great shot by Veron saved by Keller and the crossbar) but at half time the score was still 1-1.

Crespo, assisted by Messi, scored on 63 minutes the 2-1 goal reaching Maradona (present in Maracaibo) on the top of Albiceleste scorers, but most of all Argentina takes the lead. The Inter Milan player's diagonal shot is perfect, nothing to do for Keller. On minutes 77, after one minute of ball possession of the Argentinean, a cross from the left side by Heinze is converted by Aimar's header. Basile made a good choice, by replacing Cambiasso with him. There's time for Argentina to score the fourth goal, after a counter attack: Tevez, Messi's substitute, had no opposition and Keller was beaten once again.

As I said, good for the US team to play the first hour at the same level of the Argentina giants, but ehn Crespo scored his second goal, ther's been no reaction. Anyway, US keeps same percentage to get through they had before the game. On the contrary, though for Argentina it took 63 minutes to take the lead, bit after that things became easier and, good for me, Argentina is still favourite for this Copa America edition in Venezuela.

Here you have the highlights of the game:

Leo Messi è stato paragonato a Maradona per il gol al Getafe in Copa del Rey, in cui si fece metà campo saltando gli avversari come birilli. Proprio come el Diego in Argentina-Inghilterra dei famosi mondiali di Mexico '86.

Stasera, Messi ha segnato anche l'altro gol di Maradona in Argentina-Inghilterra, quello di mani. La mano sinistra, il pugno che ha raccolto il cross di Zambrotta deviato per il gol del pareggio, 1-1 nel derby con l'Espanyol). Non sappiamo come finirà la Liga, non sappiamo nemmeno come finirà la partita (mentre scriviamo è l'intervallo) ma non vorremmo che la Pulga avesse emulato il suo illustre predecessore. Anzi, per un attimo abbiamo pensato che andasse dall'arbitro a dire che il gol non era regolare, invece dopo un secondo con nostra grande delusione l'hanno inquadrato che esultava, alzando il ditino incriminato. Chissà se anche lui dirà che è stata la 'mano de Dios"

PS: tra Capello e Rijkaard, tra Cannavaro e Zambrotta, tra Emerson e Thuram, a me non è che fregasse molto, ma visto il gol di mano è giusto così. E Totti ora trema, van Nistelrooy a un solo gol da lui per la Scarpa d'oro...