Brazil Hot Again at the Copa

Brasileiros stun favorite Argentina 3-0, win South American futbol final
By Jesse Andrews,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 16, 2007 4:17 AM CDT
Brazil Hot Again at the Copa
Argentina's coach Alfio Basile gestures during a Copa America final soccer game against Brazil in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Sunday, July 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Roberto Candia)   (Associated Press)

Despite missing playmakers Kaka and Ronaldinho and scuffling earlier in the tournament, Brazil got hot at the right time to upset old rivals Argentina and win its eighth Copa America, the second in a row. Argentina's freewheeling offense was disrupted by 37 fouls from its calculating, muscular opponent, and Brazil scored two in the first half to take control.

Argentina has scored 16 goals in its previous five games, while Brazil had lost to Mexico earlier in the bracket. Coach Dunga, who took over after Brazil's World Cup loss to France last year, rejoiced: "We came here to rescue the self-esteem of the Brazilian supporter, the worker ... whose only satisfaction is when Brazil wins." (More soccer stories.)

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