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. 

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:

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)