Brazil vs. Uruguay -
Tuesday, 10 July 07, 09:34 PM · Comments(3)
A great game to open the semi-finals of the 2007 Copa America.
A game that could only happen between 2 top world teams. As my friend SoyManya81 would say: "Uruguay rises up to Brasil and Argentina". And it's true.
Brazil started the game trying to put some pressure on Uruguay's defense. Trying to show their game. And it worked.
At the 12th minute a good passing play at the top of Uruguay's box culminated with a shot by Robinho that Carini couldn't hold and Maicon got the rebound scoring the first goal for the contenders.
After the brazilian goal the lights on the stadium went off and 15 minutes later the game re-started.
Then it was a different game. Uruguay got back together and after 3 good chances Forlan got a rebound from Doni and put the ball inside the net.
Uruguay could only celebrate for 4 minutes cause Maicon (who actually played very well tonight) took a free kick and the ball crossed the small box to find Julio Baptista who just tapped it to the goal putting back ahead in the game again.
End of First Half: Brazil 2 x 1 Uruguay
In the second half the game was balanced. Brazil trying to pass the ball around to waste time and find an opening in Uruguay's defense and La Celeste playing a vertical game. Moving fast on the wings and putting some pressure on Brazil's center backs.
In one of those plays, exploring the space left by Maicon's offensive characteristic, Rodrigues crossed a low ball in Brazil's box , Forlan touched and Abreu took a dive and with the head, kept Uruguay alive back on the game.
After a few minutes of Brazil having problems passing the ball the game soon became an open game with both teams searching for the winnig goal.
But the fact is that
The truth is that Uruguay played much better than Brazil in the second half. Robinho was anulled and the Green Yellow team didn't create one single clear goal opportunity.
But Uruguay also wasn't able to score a third goal and then we had the penalties...
FINAL SCORE: Brazil 2 x 2 Uruguay
Fair or unfair the penalty shootout is part of soccer. It's not a matter of luck. It's a matter of psychological balance and competence... Luck is always a factor in soccer but only about 15% percent of what happen in a game can be credit for luck. So is the penalty shoot out.
And that's how it went:
BRAZIL
Robinho – goal (lower right side of the keeper)
Juan – goal (left side)
Gilberto Silva – goal (lower left side)
Afonso – right post
Diego – goal (lower right side)
Fernando – right post
Gilberto – goal (right side)
URUGUAY
Forlan – saved (horribly taken, in the middle of the goal)
Scotti – goal (mid left side of the keeper)
Gonzales - goal
Rodriguez – goal (not too well taken but the ball went in)
Abreu – goal (and what a goal, a cold bloody soft lobby kick in the middle)
Pablo Garcia – left post
Lugano – saved (it’s a curse – the team captain – the best player – he missed)
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I have to say that in both Forlan and Lugano's penalties the brazilian goalkeeper Doni stepped out a little too much but I still think that a penalty kick very well taken is impossible to be saved. Competence and psychological balance.... and a little luck.
Brazil scored 2 goals, so did Uruguay... And any of them could have made to the Final. This time was Brazil.
PENALTY SHOOTOUT SCORE: BRAZIL 5 x 4 URUGUAY
This is soccer
IN TIME:
* Brazil should be extremely happy being the runner up because the Champion will come from tomorrow's game: Argentina vs. Mexico ... But that only if the "Gods of Soccer" decide to let the best team raise the cup... We never know!
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the game was awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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zico said:te iubesc zico
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sukh131 said:Where's van Nistelrooy? He's definitely the best!!!
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JamesBH11 said:Pele
Garrincha
Ronaldo
Zico
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Giacomo said:Il più grande in assoluto è Gianni Rivera. Dal secondo dopoguerra in poi ness...
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ManoGil
Los Angeles, US
Strong opinions about everything surrounding the beautiful game. No matter if you call it Football, Soccer, Fútbol, Futebol, Calcio, Fußball, Футбол, Voetbal, サッカー This is the beautiful game and I'll be talking about it!
3 Comments · Add yours
Brasil did not win the semi-final. Uruguay lost it. My prediction, like yours, is whoever wins tomorrow's game will lift the copa. Vamos Argentina y Mexico!!
Mano! You have to help me here...Why is it that Uruguay subbed Recoba out at halftime, when he was orchestrating the team!! I have no idea what they were thinking!! I'm sure you noticed Uruguay's
offense slow down at the beginning of the second half. Moreover, Recoba could have also be the deciding factor during the pk's... Makes n-o--s-e-n-s-e!!