Argentina seek Copa America revenge against Brazil

FE Team | Published: July 16, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Argentina's Carlos Tevez (L) and Lionel Messi share a joke during a training session in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Argentina 7hope to win their first Copa America title for 14 years when they face Brazil in the final Sunday. —Photo: Internet

MARACAIBO (Venezuala), Jul 15 (AFP): Argentina are out to end their 14 year Copa America famine when they meet their rival South American footballing superpower Brazil in Sunday's final.
Argentina set up this revenge meeting - they were beaten by Brazil on penalties in the last final in Peru three years ago - with a 3-0 rout of Mexico in Ciuduad Guayana Wednesday.
Gabriel Heinze, Lionel Messi and Juan Roman Riquelme were all on the mark to ensure their place in Sunday's showpiece encounter at the Jose Pachencho Romero Stadium in Maracaibo.
Argentina will be bidding for a record 15th Copa America title against the seven-times and reigning champions Brazil, who struggled to defeat Uruguay 5-4 on penalties on Tuesday in the first semi-final, which ended 2-2 after regular time.
"It's a great classic, a unique match. Anything can happen," predicted Brazil manager Dunga who although he'd never admit it finds himself in the unusual position of being in charge of the underdogs Sunday.
Argentine's Inter Milan defender Javier Zanetti asserted that his country were up to the challenge that lies ahead.
"It's another chance and I hope we'll seize it. We're enjoying a good spell and we're showing that each time we play."
Both teams have looked at this as a means to overcome the disappointment of missing out in last year's World Cup in Germany and to lay the groundwork for qualifying for the 2010 edition in South Africa.
Brazil are an altogether different side to the one knocked out by France in the 2006 world Cup, with Dunga taking over as coachand stalwarts Ronaldo, Robert Carlos, Cafu and Adriano, all getting the axe.
Ronaldinho and Kaka have also missed out on the competition having requested to be overlooked as they recover from their seasons in Europe.
Brazil though will have to do without their captain, Gilberto Silva, the Arsenal midfielder who was ruled out after picking up a second yellow card in the semi-final win.
Robinho heads the race for the golden boot award with six goals, with Riquelme on five.