Uruguay have grabbed their first Copa America trophy since 1995 when the former World Cup semi finalists beat Paraguay 3-0 in the big final at the Monumental Antonio Liberti. Suarez and Diego Forlan gave Oscar Tabarez’s side a huge win as the Liverpool striker scored an early opener, while the Atletico Madrid cornerstone completed the double in the last minute of play. It was a tough game as both sides conceded six yellow cards four of which being received by the favorites who were desperate to keep the sheet clean in front of Paraguay’s rare though dangerous attacks.
Foto Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com
The game started with a big chance for Uruguay but also with a controversial action which saw the referee ignoring a handball made early in the fourth minute. The incident followed Suarez’s early big chance which highlighted the Reds star denied by keeper Villar. The same Suarez then threatened with an opener, but the forwarder was denied once again by Vera who cleared the air in the tenth minute. Nevertheless, Uruguay did manage to grab an early lead two minutes later through the same former Eredivise top scorer who beat Villar with a superb shot into the right hand post the Paraguayan keeper could only watch reaching the net.
Adrian Costa side’s first reply came in the 15th minute through striker Valdez who volley didn’t bring anything, but kept keeper Muslaro connected to the game. Caceres picked the first yellow just one minute later for a foul on lively Suarez. A couple of more cautions came in the 34th minute when both Perez and Uruguay’s Caceres paid for their sins. Right defender Pereira also conceded a yellow in the 30th minute for a tough challenge on Riveros who was attempting a crucial action around the box.
Forlan’s first big chance came in the 32nd minute when Suarez picked the veteran in good position, only to strike it straight at Villar who made another great save to the dismay of Tabarez. Suarez got another opportunity in the 35th minute, but his superb shot from range reached the side netting. He then exchanged another couple of passes with his attack mate, but Forlan fired the ball straight at Villar from 11 yards or so. Uruguay won a corner in the 40th minute which Forlan took it as far as Arevalo whose finish went wide. But just three minutes before the break, Forland put his name on the scoreboard with a superb shot form inside the box past the Paraguayan keeper.
The first half thus went 2-0 as Uruguay were just 45 minutes from a big success at Copa America. As for the second half, it saw Paraguay risk everything, but also open themselves too much, something which allowed the favorites to create plenty of clear occasions, as well. But the first came from the same dangerous Suarez who picked Forlan in good position for a poor finish, though. Muslera was firs tput at serious work in the 55th minute when Valdez’s tricky shot was denied by the Uruguayan who would keep the sheet clean until the end.
Vera conceded his first yellow card in the 57th minute as results of frustration and a touch challenge on Perez. Muslera made antother great save in the 62nd minute when the keeper stopped Piris’ dangerous cross from right. Oscar Tabarez used his first substitution in the 63rd minute when the Uruguay coach introduced Edison Cavani for Pereira. Two minutes later, Coria introduced Estigarribia and Hernique Perez for Caceres and Riveros respectively. Anothr controversial incident occurred in the 69th minute when Zeballos simulated a penalty, but the referee gave handball for the Uruguayans. Sebastian Eguren replaced Perez in the 70th minute as Tabarez was taking the step backwards.
Cavani’s presence was first felt in the 74th minute when the striker’s cross was miss-appreciated by Forlan who would have been in front of a second goal hadn’t he been a bit late on it. Lucas Barrios replaced Zeballos for Paraguay in the 76th minute, but things remained almost the same for Coria’s side, who had reached the final after five draws. Valdez, who was chasing his first goal desperately, earned another chance in the 82nd minute, but Muslera closed the angles and made the save. With three minutes left, Tabarez replaced Jose Caceres with Diego Godin in what was rather a time-wasting move than a tactical one.
But just one minute before the final whistle, Forlan gave his side the clear win, making it 3-0 following a great header from Suarez who made a sensational game. Uruguay beat neighbours Paraguay for their second Copa America trophy in the last 16 years. En route to the final, Uruguay had defeated Peru 2-0 in the semi finals and Argentine 5-4 on penalties in the quarters. They finished the group C second with five points which included a win against Mexico and two draws against Chile and Peru. On the other side, Paraguay had previously ousted Brazil 2-0 on penalty in the quarter finals and Venezuela 5-3 in the same manner in the last four term.
Said coach Tabarez: “To have won the Copa America has no bearing on the qualifiers, it’s no guarantee. This is very gratifying, very nice, but a qualifying series is something else because it’s not played at one venue, where presumably the only ones with an advantage are the home team.”
Uruguay – Muslera; Caceres, Coartes, Lugano, Pereira; Pereira, Gonzalez, Arevalo, Perez; Forlan, Suarez. Reserves: S. Abreu, N. Lodeiro, A. Hernandez, E. Cavani, S. Eguren, W. Gargano, D. Godin, A. Scotti, J. Castillo, C. Rodriguez.
Paraguay – Villar; Piris, da Silva, Veron, Marecos; Vera, Caceres, Ortigoza, Riveros; Valdez, Zeballos. Reserves: H. Perez, R. Fernandez, L. Barrios, M. Estigarribia, A. Alcaraz, M. Caceres, E. Barreto, D. Baretto, O. Martinez.
