2007 Copa América final

Background

Main article: Argentina–Brazil football rivalry

It was the second consecutive final between Brazil and Argentina; Brazil won the 2004 final on penalties. The match ended 2–2 after extra time: Kily González opened the scoring with a penalty, and Luisão headed an equaliser at the start of the second half. César Delgado put Argentina back into the lead with three minutes of normal time remaining, but Adriano equalised in added time. In the shootout, Brazil's Júlio César saved the first Argentine penalty by Andrés D'Alessandro while Gabriel Heinze missed, and defender Juan scored the winner.

Route to the final

|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#c1e0ff;" |Opponent |Result ||Knockout stage |Opponent

| |6–1 |

| |2–2 (5–4 pen.) | |3–0 |}

Match

Officials

Paraguayan Carlos Amarilla was chosen to be the referee, having also refereed the 2004 Final. In the 2007 tournament he refereed two more matches, Uruguay against Peru, and Chile against Mexico, both of the first round.

Team selection

Of Argentina's team which took part in the 2004 Final, Roberto Abbondanzieri, Javier Zanetti, Gabriel Heinze, Roberto Ayala, Javier Mascherano, and Carlos Tevez started in the 2007 edition, with Lucho González a starter in 2004 and substitute in 2007. For Brazil, Juan and Maicon started both, with Diego a substitute in both.

Synopsis

Brazil took the lead in the fourth minute through Júlio Baptista, set up by Elano. Thirty minutes later, however, Elano went off injured to be replaced by Dani Alves. Alves sent in a cross in the 40th minute, which Ayala deflected for an own goal past Abbondanzieri to double Brazil's lead at half time.

In the 59th minute, Argentina substituted defensive midfielder Esteban Cambiasso for attacking alternative Pablo Aimar. Ten minutes later, Brazil scored their third and final goal: Vágner Love began a counterattack, running up the pitch and setting up Alves to score.

Details

Ayala
Dani Alves

|}

References

References

1. "Weather Underground".
2. "Copa América 1916-2011".
3. "Copa América 2004".
4. (26 July 2004). "Brazil snatch cup in late twist". [[The Guardian]].
5. "Copa América – El polémico Carlos Amarilla será el árbitro de Argentina-Uruguay". Telediario Digital.
6. "Copa América 2007".
7. (15 July 2007). "Argentina 0 - 3 Brazil". The Guardian.