Diego Aids Brazilian Progression in Penalty Shoot-Out

First Team
Thursday, 12.07.2007 / 09:12

Diego, Naldo and Co. have reached the final of the Copa America. Brazil and Uruguay put on a thrilling match. Twice, the Brazilians took the lead, but the Uruguayans drew level...

Diego, Naldo and Co. have reached the final of the Copa America. Brazil and Uruguay put on a thrilling match. Twice, the Brazilians took the lead, but the Uruguayans drew level. The match ended 2-a piece, but in the penalty shootout, Brazil came out on top, securing their spot in the finals of Copa America. Their opponents will be defined in the clash between Argentina and Mexico.

The first chance of the match came on 7 minutes, when Recoba took a corner-kick and Scotti headed out. One minute later, Mineiro pounced on a defensive rebound, but struck off target.

 

On 12 minutes, Julio Batista broke down the right, supplied a cross to Vagner Love, who set up Mineiro for the strike. Goalie Carini palmed the ball away, but Maicon opened the account for Brazil.

Soon after, the game was interrupted for 13 minutes, due to a sudden lack of energy. After the restart, Uruguay showed they didn’t succumb to the Brazilian goal and took the initiative. On 30 minutes, Recoba took the corner-kick and Doni palmed the ball away. On 41 minutes, Forlan struck close, but Doni sent the ball out for a corner. From the resulting corner-kick by Recoba, Doni made another save.

Brazil were being pressured, but hit back with a fine move by Maicon. The right-back combined with Mineiro and supplied the cross which Júlio Baptista was unable to meet. Uruguay turned the screw and leveled the scores on 48 minutes. After a Recoba corner-kick, Doni palmed the ball away, but Forlan pounced on the rebound and scored.

 

Five minutes later, after a Maicon free-kick, Julio Batista ghosted in at the far post and put Brazil in the lead again.

In the second half, Recoba was replaced by Sebastián Abreu, who drew level again, on 69 minutes. Fucile delivered the cross from the left, Forlan deflected the ball with his head and Abreu netted the ball in the far post. Before this, Robinho forced Carini to a difficult save from the free-kick.

Coach Dunga put midfielder Diego, striker Afonso and offensive midfielder Fernando on the pitch. Brazil went in search of the winner until the end, while Uruguay were dangerous on the counter. Before the final whistle, in extra time, skipper Gilberto Silva received a yellow card and will serve his ban in the next match.

 

With a 2:2 draw in regulation, the match was to be decided by a penalty shootout.

Robinho took the first spot-kick and scored. Forlan missed his penalty for Uruguay. The following players converted their spot-kicks: Juan, Scotti, Gilberto Silva and Ignácio Gonzalez. Afonso squandered his for Brazil and Cristian Rodríguez converted his. Diego took the fifth penalty kick and put Brazil in the lead. Abreu drew level, with a beautiful strike. Fernando missed his kick, but Pablo García hit the upright. Gilberto scored for Brazil, but Doni denied Lugano, qualifying Brazil.

 

In Sunday’s final, Carlos Dunga’s men will meet the mighty Argentina, who beat Mexico 3:0 in their semi-final, for what promises to be an tense and nervous affair with the pride and honour of both nations at stake.

 

Weitere News

Your web browser ist outdated.
The web browser you are using is no longer supported.
Please download one of these free and up to date browsers.
Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge
Chrome Firefox Edge
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
MS Edge
Why should I use an up to date web browser?
Security
Newer web browsers provide better protection against malware, data theft and other threats to your privacy and security. Up to date browsers continuously close security holes that allow attackers to enter your computer.
New Technologies
The technologies used on modern websites are better supported by newer web browsers. This both increases functionality and improves the website layout. By benefiting from new functions and extensions you will be able to surf the web faster and easier.