Jun
28
Day 3
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Paraguay 5 - Colombia 0
Paraguay demolished Colombia 5-0. Roque Santa Cruz scored the first 3 goals and Salvador Cabanas added 2 more goals late in the game to give Paraguay a well-deserved victory over Colombia.
Argentina 4 - USA 1
The Americans opened up the scoring in the 9th minute when Eddie Johnson was taken down in the penalty box. Johnson took the penalty for 1-0 US lead. The lead did not last long when Argentina equalized. Hernan Crespo pounced on loose ball coming from an Argentina freekick just outside the box. Argentina added 3 goals. Crespo scored again in the 64th. Pablo Aimar and Carlos Tevez a goal each late in the game.
Prior to Group C playing, this group was called by many observers as the Group of Death. Well, after today’s games, it doesn’t look like it. It looks like right now Paraguay and Argentina are clearly the better teams. It would be interesting to see how Colombia and the USA will come back from today’s drubbing. Clearly, Argentina is the best team in this group. Can USA win against Paraguay and Colombia? That’s the question.
| Group C | Win | Draw | Loss | Points | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paraguay | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | +5 |
| Argentina | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | +3 |
| USA | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -3 |
| Colombia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -5 |
Jun
27
Day 2
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Chile 3 - Ecuador 2
With Ecuador leading 2-1, Chile mounted an improbable comeback by tying the game at 2-2 and then going ahead with a game winning goal in the last 5 minutes of the game. Ecuador was called for a foul just outside of the box. Chile converted a beautiful freekick bending the ball around the wall. The Ecuadorian keeper had no chance. Great game.
Mexico 2 - Brazil 0
Mexico fresh from the defeat in the Gold Cup Final came up big against the defending Copa America champions Brazil by scoring 2 quick goals in the first half. Nery Castillo scored the first, then Morales scored a beautiful left-footed freekick. The Brazilian keeper never moved. Mexican keeper Memo Ochoa played well saving at least 2-3 potential goals. El Tri defense also cleared off a couple of shots coming from a corner kick. Brazil looks flat.
Notes
The way Chile and Ecuador are playing, this may turn out to be an easy group for both Brazil and Mexico. Expect Brazil and Mexico to move on to the next round. Mexico seems to have Brazil’s number. They just match up well against the South American giants. Nery missed a wide-open shot. At least Ching hit the post, Nery missed the goal completely. Almost a carbon-copy.
| Group B | Win | Draw | Loss | Points | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | +2 |
| Chile | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | +1 |
| Ecuador | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1 |
| Brazil | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -2 |
Jun
27
Day 1
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Peru 3 - Uruguay 0
An impressive win for the Peruanos who defeated Uruguay with a score of 3-0. Uruguay was missing Recoba, but I dont think it would have mattered. Peru looked organized and they finished their chances. 3 nice scores. Uruguay never got in the game.
Venezuela 2 - Bolivia 2
You would think home-field advantage would be a factor in this game between Venezuela and Bolivia. Venezuela took the lead early, only to squander it. Jaime Moreno scored to tie the game at 1-1. The shot was aided by a deflection. Venezuela took the lead again at 2-1 only to be tied once again by Bolivia. Very entertaining game.
Notes
This group is probably the weakest of all 3 groups in all of Copa America. With nothing to show for after 1 game, Uruguay must win their at least 1 game and hope for a tie in the next game to stay alive. Clearly, Peru is on the driver seat after 1 round. Venezuela and Bolivia can advance with a win in the next two matches.
| Group A | Win | Draw | Loss | Points | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peru | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | +3 |
| Venezuela | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Bolivia | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Uruguay | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -3 |