This Friday (1st July) the eyes of South America will turn to La Plata, Argentina, as the host nation take on Bolivia in the opening match of the much awaited Copa America, a tournament that will showcase some of the most talented individual players on the planet.

The Copa America returns to the place where it began in 1916 (pre-dating the World Cup and the European Championships, making it the world’s oldest continental football event) when perennial party poopers Uruguay stole the hosts thunder and walked away with the first ever title narrowly beating Argentina in a league format. Almost a century later, those two traditional powers of world football, and the side that were later to emerge as the world’s most emblematic football team, Brazil, look set to battle it out for the 43st Copa America. This triad of teams has scooped 36 of the 42 so far and boast some of the world’s best attacking players between them, so it would take a brave man to look beyond them……

However, it is fair to say, that this year more teams than ever are capable of mounting a serious challenge. Perhaps we are seeing a levelling effect in international football caused by the increasing number of players from minor leagues in countries like Peru, Venezuela and Ecuador gaining valuable experience in Europe, an ironically positive by-product of the much maligned commercialisation and globalisation of the people’s game. This potential for closely-contested games and a rare opportunity to see the South American sides operate at full potential (almost) unencumbered by the rigorous demands of the European club season is a mouth-watering prospect for football fans across the globe and a welcome event for South American fans who are sick of meaningless friendlies played by under-strength squads. Here is a look at each of the sides with my heavily subjective assessment of their respective chances of progressing in the competition:

Argentina

The seed in Group A and host nation boast an enviable strike line, surely the best in the tournament (if not the world), in both quality and depth. Doubts remain over whether Messi can carry his club form onto the national stage, but surely he will never have a better chance than in this tournament. Di Maria, Higuain, Tevez (possible absentee at time of writing) and Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero (who actually boasts the best strike record at international level in the current squad) complete an embarrassment of riches at coach Sergio Batista’s disposal who will surely be more worried about his defence – which was tellingly exposed by Germany in South Africa.

Veteran Javier Zanetti has been brought back from the international wilderness to add some experience to the squad. The 37 year-old made his debut in the days of Francescoli, Dunga and Valderrama in Copa America 1995 and is now Argentina’s most capped player. Whether he starts or not, he will be a steadying influence on the squad. Batista has also recalled Gabriel Milito who missed the World Cup under Maradona. The group stage should be relatively straight-forward, the acid test, as always will be the knockout rounds when the defence is put under real pressure.

VERDICT: Winners

MAN TO WATCH: Carlos Tevez – A determined striker oozing quality. Extremely hard-working with excellent touch. Could benefit from the inevitably excessive attention given to marking the player many believe to be the world’s best, Lionel Messi.

Colombia

Colombia look a competitive and ever-improving outfit outfit, with Porto trio Radamel Falcao, Fredy Guarin and James Rodriguez in red-hot form off the back of their UEFA Cup triumph and a glut of European based players throughout the side. Colombia’s main problem may be overcoming the psychological barrier of almost a decade’s mediocrity. Missing three consecutive World Cup’s has hurt a nation that boasts the second largest population in South America, and dented the team’s self-belief that led Pele to predict a Colombian triumph at the ill-fated USA 1994 tournament, where defender Andres Escobar tragically lost his life. Their squad blends some excellent young prospects in their midfield and attack with experienced international campaigners like Luis Perea and Mario Yepes at the back. They ought to progress from the group, after that they will be tested to the limit, either by Chile or Uruguay. A win against either of these two is not beyond Colombia, if they perform.

VERDICT: Semi Finals
MAN TO WATCH: Radamel Falcao – An obvious choice given his prolific season with Porto, but has failed to carry his club form onto the international stage thus far. Could be a breakthrough tournament for him.

Group A is completed by Bolivia and invited CONCACAF team Costa Rica, who both seem unlikely to make a lasting impact on the competition. Bolivia’s two successful outings in the competition both came on home soil (Champions in 1963 and Runners-up in 1997), whilst Costa Rica (Los Ticos), a respectable team in the North American qualification region, will struggle to compete against the pure strength in depth on offer in this tournament, particularly with a youth squad, which they plan to bring, having recently competed in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the USA.

VERDICT: Elimination at group stage for both

MEN TO WATCH: Marcelo Martins Moreno – A fringe player with Shakhtar Donetsk in recent years, Martins promising career has stalled somewhat in the past couple of years after a promising start in Brazil. A good opportunity for him.

Brazil

One of the reasons Brazil have only triumphed 8 times in the Copa America, compared to an impressive 14 occasions for both Argentina and Uruguay is that Brazil tend to place less importance on the Copa America than they do for the World Cup (where they reign supreme with five victories). Historically, on numerous occasions they have left out their key players and taken experimental and youthful squads to the tournament.

In spite of this, Brazil triumphed in Peru in 2004 and then in Venezuela in 2007, without Kaka and Ronaldinho, and as always will be expected to win by a demanding Brazilian public and media. New coach Mano Menezes looks set to continue his predecessor Dunga’s moves towards a more pragmatic approach, to the disdain of the Brazilian public. Putting a date on this tendency is difficult, but it date backs at least to Luiz Felipe Scolari’s World Cup winning side of 2002, which statistically at least, with 18 goals at that tournament, wasn’t perhaps as cautious and methodical as some would have us believe. Teenager Neymar has made an explosive start to his Brazil career, and will be one of the men to watch, in an inventive attack which also boasts Alex Pato and Robinho (both of Milan).

VERDICT: Losing finalist
MAN TO WATCH: Neymar – Slight in build and very difficult to mark, Europe- bound forward with a point to prove. Extremely ambitious.

Paraguay

They will compete with a resolute Paraguay side that has established itself over the past couple of decades as a particularly tough nut to crack. Any Paraguayan would tell you, with some justification, that their closely contested World Cup Quarter Final with Spain could have gone either way, (they certainly had a couple of golden opportunities) and they were Italy’s equal in the group stage too. Taking it from a more negative angle, their golden goal defeats against both France in 1998 and Spain in 2010 were arguably more inevitable than unfortunate eventualities, owing to the lack of attacking thrust and verve that Paraguay offered in those games. These dogged, largely defensive displays do little to challenge the image of competitive, tough Paraguayan sides lacking in creativity, but they are certainly an opponent that no-one looks forward to playing against. Considering the nation’s demographic, their achievements over the last couple of decades at World Cups have been remarkable.

VERDICT: Quarter Finals
MAN TO WATCH: Lucas Barrios – Argentine-born forward who has just had an extremely successful season for German champions Borussia Dortmund. Prolific goalscorer well-known to Chilean fans for an excellent spell with Colo Colo.

Ecuador

Ecuador arrive at the tournament with the bitter taste of disappointment still in their mouths, a truly appalling record historically in the Copa America (a decent performance on home soil in 1993, and a respectable showing at altitude in Bolivia 1997 apart) and the knowledge that they face an extremely tough group to qualify for the latter rounds. The outlook is not as gloomy as it appears however. Ecuadorian football has made great strides in the past couple of decades, and now both at club at international level they provide a tough match for the traditional powers of South America. A solid, athletic side led by rejuvenated talisman Antonio Valencia, are more than capable of springing a few shocks in next month’s competition. A lot will depend on whether one of Ecuador’s front-men steps up to the plate. The fact that veteran midfielder Edison Mendez finished as top scorer in the marathon qualifiers for World Cup 2010 with a modest 4 goals goes some way to explaining why the much improved side narrowly missed out on the trip to South Africa. The solution to this problem could come in the form of Felipe Caicedo, whilst one of Chucho Benitez (strong, but unreliable in front of goal) and Jaime Ayovi (a prospect for the future), both plying their trade in Mexico, will most likely partner Caicedo.

VERDICT: Quarter Finals
MAN TO WATCH: Felipe Caicedo – Looks close to a breakthrough after a respectable season in the Spanish top flight with provincial Spanish outfit. Ambitious, will see the tournament as a window of opportunity.

The other team in the group, Venezuela, are traditionally the whipping boys of Latin American football. Venezuela is the only country in the CONMEBOL region that has never been to a World Cup, and is the only country where Baseball is the dominant sport amongst the nation’s youth. In spite of this, The ‘Vinotinto’ have been making remarkable progress in the last decade or so, now boasting over a phalanx of internationals that play for European sides, and a number of recent scalps including a recent 3-0 win over Mexico (admittedly only in a friendly), holding Brazil 0-0 in Campo Grande and taking six crucial points from Ecuador, both in the qualifiers for South Africa. The Venezuelans will see this tournament as a perfect opportunity to prepare for a serious attempt at qualifying for their first World Cup in Brazil 2018.

VERDICT: Eliminated at group stage
MAN TO WATCH: Jose Rondon – A young player yet to make his mark at international level, but has showed his potential bagging 14 La Liga goals for Malaga last term.

Uruguay

Uruguay come into this tournament with an impressive record equal to that of their larger neighbours across the River Plate (both at the World Cup and in the Copa America). This, together with last year’s surprise run to the Semi-Finals in South Africa, has created a strong feeling of optimism, but also of expectation about the ‘Charruas’ chances in the tournament. This optimism is not without justification however. The forward-line of Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, that linked so well in the World Cup, is now supplemented by the excellent Edinson Cavani, who enjoyed a breakthrough season for Napoli in Serie A last term, after a series of moderately successful seasons with Sicilian outfit, Palermo. Uruguay boast an impressive squad, none of which play their club football in their home country.

VERDICT: Semi Finals
MAN TO WATCH: Luis Suarez – Strong, quick, intelligent player with a great finish to boot. An absolute nightmare for defenders. Should have another strong tournament to add to his growing reputation.

Chile

Chile are looking to continue a period, which has garnered considerable recognition under the stewardship of larger-than-life Argentine Marcelo Bielsa. Bielsa, and his trademark 3-3-1-3 formation, enjoyed considerable success at World Cup 2010, though they never looked like beating Brazil in the knockout round. New coach Claudio Borghi has hinted at continuing with the attractive style of his predecessor. Chile have a number of attacking options that are well suited to this style, including flying winger, Alexis Sanchez, (all but in name a Barcelona player if the Spanish press are to be believed), Matias Fernandez, a talented individual and the volatile Jorge Valdivia. A favourable group and a continuance of the team’s cavalier approach could make Chile not only one of the best teams to watch at the tournament but also team that will give a headache to any defence in the tournament come the later rounds. On another note, quite absurdly, the Chilean and Argentinean federations have come to an agreement whereby the Chileans will play their matches in the Puyo region, in Mendoza and San Juan, close to their own capital.

VERDICT: Quarter Finals
MAN TO WATCH: Alexis Sanchez – Currently in negotiation with Barcelona. Could be about to make his name in a big way. Already well-known to Italian fans for his skilful and exuberant wing-play.

Peru

Peru will arrive at the tournament with the usual low expectations and to the backdrop of the usual cynical tabloid press. Pablo Guerrero will assume the responsibility of producing the goals in the absence of Claudio Pizarro. The Peruvian side live in the shadows of their illustrious predecessors whom played attractive attacking football, particularly in the 1970s. Peruvians will hope that canny Uruguayan Sergio Markarian can guide them in the right direction this campaign. Something that may play in their favour is the group, which in my opinion isn’t the strongest due to Mexico not fielding their best squad and being drawn with the weakest of the seeded sides. They may sneak through in third spot but this would mean a showdown with either Brazil or Argentina. Getting out of the group would be a minor triumph in terms of combating the negativity that surrounds the team. The exploits of Cienciano a few years ago, and the fact that Peruvian players are still bought by European teams suggests untapped potential.

VERDICT: Quarter Finals
MAN TO WATCH: Jefferson Farfan – A lively impact player with a wealth of European experience with PSV and latterly FC Schalke 04.

Mexico

The second invited side from the CONCACAF region is Mexico, who will be well below strength due to their current participation in the Gold Cup in North America. They plan to send a young squad to gain experience, which will not include Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez, whose club understandably don’t want him to spend his summer break from club duties playing two international tournaments.

VERDICT: Eliminated in first round
MAN TO WATCH: Giovani Dos Santos – Still only 22, the Tottenham man has been loaned out 3 times and finds himself low down in the pecking order. A good opportunity to get himself noticed.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that the tournament has an element of unpredictability, owing in large part to friendlies that are no doubt useful for experimentation purposes, but bring into question the value of the international cap, and give no indicator to fans and pundits of form. Aside from that they arguably defraud the paying punter of the spectacle they are paying for. Argentina’s recent friendlies with Nigeria and Poland are typical of this trend, similar has happened with other South American nations recently.

Last time out as hosts of the Copa America in 1987, as reigning World Champions Argentina lost out unexpectedly to Uruguay in the Semi-Finals. They will be keen to make sure a repeat does not happen this time. Uruguay, on the other hand, will draw on a history of such shocks, starting with the Maracanazo in 1950, which psychologically fills them with belief that anything is possible against much larger countries. Their status as a small country defending a proud record gives them a team-spirit that is hard to match. Brazil meanwhile are going for a hat-trick of wins, having taken the last one in Venezuela without their biggest stars in attendance. They are clearly a team never to be ruled out. Chile’s football is easy on the eye, but they will want to achieve other than eliciting plaudits and compliments something this time. I expect group B to be the closest with the other two groups being fairly clear-cut.

I predict a fifteenth crown for Argentina in a hotly disputed final with eternal rivals Brazil.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Welcome to Fergie Time, a roundup/newsletter type deal that delivers news, opinion and links directly to your screen. As the name suggests, there will be some exaggeration, nsfw moments, canceled press conferences (oh, who are we kidding) and late, late, late scoring of points. You’ll like it, trust me.

NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING:

Screenwriter William Goldman famously wrote that “nobody knows anything” in Hollywood. The same could be said of the Premier League. After Didier Drogba’s all-conquering start to the season, his goalscoring form has dipped over the past month. Then he was left out of Chelsea’s starting line up to face Liverpool last weekend, and we all wondered: Why? Well, turns out Drogba has had malaria. For a month.

Drogba was only diagnosed this past Monday, so no one could have known. But I think it just proves that whenever you read pundits pontificating about players in newspaper articles or blog post, or on television show, radio shows or podcasts, nobody knows anything. Or at least nobody knows everything.

THE YAWNCHESTER DERBY?

The Manchester derby wasn’t horrible. But it wasn’t all that exciting either. And the fact that Manchester City played Nigel de Jong, Gareth Barry and Yaya Toure in the centre of midfield, at home, might have had something to do with the whole thing finishing goalless.

PODCAST:

The guys from 3 Up Front debate whether they owe Torres and Hodgson an apology now Liverpool look a bit sharper, ask whether Harry Redknapp would make a decent England manager or not, and question whether the Premier League as a whole is losing a bit of its lustre. Listen to episode 13 of 3 Up Front.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK (EXTENDED OLLIE EDITION):

The quote of the week is usually just a sentence or two. A paragraph at most. But when Ian Holloway’s mouth starts moving, the rules go out the window. Holloway is potentially facing a a few questions from the FA after making 10 changes to his Blackpool team, which went out and lost – narrowly, just 3-2 – to Aston Villa on Wednesday. Here are the edited highlights of what Holloway said afterwards, about the possibility of the FA coming after him for fielding a weakened team:

“I’d pack in, I can’t work for this madness. I would resign. [The authorities] do not know what they’re talking about. You haven’t got to be a genius to work out what happened to Wolves last year and how wrong that was. [Wolves manager] Mick McCarthy can pick whoever he likes.

“We deserved at least a point and how dare anybody tell me the players I’ve been working with, I can’t treat them with respect and give them a chance. [My reserves] should have played before now. I wasn’t sure they were ready, but tonight they have enhanced their reputation with me.”

“Let some person from the Premier League even try to tell me who I can pick. I am the manager of Blackpool Football Club and I select people to come to the club and play them whenever I want.

“I’m going to come here and try to beat Aston Villa and I’m going to go to West Ham and try to beat them and all. If I pick a different team, I’ve got every right to do what I like.

“Let them try and fine me, it’s an absolute disgrace. I’ll show the Premier League. We were a credit to football, and let the Premier League try to tell me otherwise.”

And, once he’d calmed down a bit:

“First they would have to come up here, because why should I have to travel down there? Maybe I’ll pop in on the way down to West Ham at the weekend, show them the team sheet and make sure they are happy with it and we can go from there. My chairman doesn’t tell me how we should play, so I won’t have someone from the Premier League doing it.”

You tell ‘em Ollie.

AWARDS:

Unluckiest goalkeeper: I’ve no idea where this took place, or who the goalkeeper is. I just know that it’s funny.

It’s a penalty shoot out, the shot hits the bar and bounces up in the air, and so said keeper runs off to celebrate. Except when he turns around from his first-pumping the ball has bounced down and is in the back of the net. Unlucky son.

Angriest goalkeeper: “It would be flattery to call you fans. You’re just a bunch of dogs,” the 21-year-old goalkeeper Wang Dalei posted on his microblog after Monday’s 3-0 loss. “You bunch of morons are the main reason why Chinese football can’t make progress. You throw in stones after a man has fallen into a well.”

The Joey Barton award for unnecessary violence goes to… Joey Barton of course. Watch this video and tell me why Blackburn’s Morten Gamst Pedersen could possibly deserve a punch to the ribs.

ACTUAL, REAL AWARDS:

Nominate all your football favourites in the Soccerlens Awards. There are ten categories, like Best Football Website, Best Football Journalist and Best Football Blog, so head on over there and get nominating to make sure your favourites are in the running.

MATCH OF THE WEEK:

Has to be the Milan derby: Inter vs Milan, Sunday night. Also, look in on David Beckham’s quest to win MLS Cup when LA Galaxy play FC Dallas in the Western Conference Final (essentially the MLS Cup semi-final) Sunday night US Pacific Time.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT SUMMER:

The groups for Copa America 2011 were drawn today. Argentina are hosting, so the only way this tournament could get any better is if El Diego returned to coach the albiceleste on home soil.

FANTASY FOOTBALL:

Week 13 of the the Soccerlens Fantasy Football Game is coming. To be in with a chance of winning the weekly prize money, just pick your XI and enter.

FINALLY, DON’T FORGET:

Fergie Time is only a small part of the Soccerlens experience. You can also follow us on Twitter, find us on Facebook, watch us on YouTube and subscribe to our RSS.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

CONMEBOL is the South American Football Confederation (officially known as the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol) which covers the majority of the continent of South America. It is the oldest of FIFA’s confederations, originally forming in 1916, almost a century ago. The federation’s formation was begun by Héctor Rivadavia Gómez who had a grand plan for a federation for South American football. His idea was put to a committee including Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay and was greeted unanimously with approval. The date marked 100 years of Argnentinian independence and now also the formation of what would go on to become known as CONMEBOL.

Despite being the grandfather of the federations, CONMEBOL has the least member associations with just 10; Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. But even with just 10 members, CONMEBOL is not a small federation geographically, including 2 of the 10 largest nations in the world (Brazil 5th and Argentina 8th).

Whilst UEFA rules the roost club-wise, CONMEBOL are the record holders for international football. They are the only federation to have won the FIFA World Cup outside their own continent, having won it at least once in every continent it’s been held. This is primarily down to Brazil (5 World Cup wins), but Argentina and Uruguay both have got 2 World Cup wins each under their belts. This record is on the line at World Cup 2010 as it is the first one to take place in the continent of Africa.

The headquarters are in Luque, near Asunción, the capital of Paraguay and the current president, Nicolás Léoz, has headed the organisation since 1986. Léoz made his name as a businessman and history teacher as well as presiding over a number of football and basketball organisations, before becoming part of CONMEBOL.

Competitions

Nations:

The national sides of CONMEBOL compete in the Copa América, the oldest international football competition in existence. The 10 members are joined by 2 invited teams, to date these have been USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Japan and Honduras. The competition is primarily dominated by Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, winning 36 of the 42 tournaments between them.

The competition began in 1916, organised by Argentina as part of the celebrations of 100 years of Argentinian independence, and it was during this competition that the original meetings to create CONMEBOL took place. Just 4 nations took part in the first edition (Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay), with Uruguay winning the round robin tournament, and both Chile and Brazil failed to win a single game.

Between then and 1967 the competition was slightly sporadic, with 29 editions taking place and a round robin format being used. As the tournament grew, more nations began to take part, making it necessary to have qualification rounds. The tournament then took a hiatus till 1975 when it returned as a ‘group stage then knockout’ format and took place every 4 years until 1987 when it became every 2 years. In 2001 it went to every 3 years and then in 2007 it changed yet again to a 4 year gap.

The ‘invited teams’ system began in 1993 to make it into a 12 team tournament. To date, no invited team has won the competition, though Mexico have twice reached the final. Brazil have won 4 of the last 5 tournaments, doubling their tally of titles.

Clubs:

At club level, CONMEBOL’s top competition is the Copa Libertadores, which is an annual cup that sees the best teams in CONMEBOL’s leagues (plus Mexican teams are invited) compete in a group-stage-and-then-knockout-rounds style competition.

The competition began in 1960 and has taken place every year since without exception. Qualification to the competition is via winning the respective domestic league and also teams down to 5th placed in the strongest leagues such as Argentina and Brazil.

The first tournament featured just 7 teams, national champions from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay, but now it has grown to feature 38 teams, which includes 3 teams invited from Mexico. To date, the competition has not been won by any of the invited teams and is mainly dominated by teams from Argentina and Brazil.

For 10 years it was sponsored by motor company Toyota and is now sponsored by the global bank Santander.

A secondary competition began in 2002 which also takes place annually; the Copa Sudamericana. This tournament includes teams from CONMEBOL and recently also from CONCACAF.

In 1992, CONMEBOL began to run the secondary cup competition, alongside the Copa Libertadores, calling it the Copa CONMEBOL. This cup ran for 8 seasons and was only won by Brazilian and Argentinian teams. Overlapping this in the last year were 2 competitions; the Copa Merconorte and the Copa Mercosur.

The Copa Merconorte featured teams from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, as well as United States, Costa Rica and Mexico. The 4 instances were thoroughly dominated by Colombian teams, with all 4 won by them and 3 of the 4 losing finalists also being Colombian.

The Copa Mercosur featured teams from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Chile and was dominated by Brazilian teams with 3 Brazilian winners and 4 Brazilian runners-up.

The current incarnation as Copa Sudamericana then came into existence and since the first edition in 2002 it has seen more Argentinian finalists than any other nation but has also seen teams from Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Colombia in the final during it’s 7 editions. The design of the competition means that there is a team from either Argentina or Brazil in every game of the second round, which has encouraged much criticism and attacks of it being manufactured purely to reap TV revenues. Further discredits to the competition have come from so many teams fielding weakened teams for this competition.

Women’s football

CONMEBOL run a competition for the women’s national sides called Sudamericano Femenino, taking place a little sporadically but roughly every 3-4 years. It began in 1991 and a Brazillian dominance is evident, having won 4 of the 5 titles and being runners up in the other one. The current format is 2 groups of 5 from which the top 2 in each qualify for a final group of 4. All single fixture ties, held at neutral venues in the host nation.

CONMEBOL Member Nations:

Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Paraguay
Peru
Uruguay
Venezuela

Back to the main Football Federations page.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

From North America (MLS, Mexico) to South America (Argentina, Brazil and all the rest), the best goals of 2008:

USA (MLS)

MLS best goals 2008 (53 goals by Beckham, Blanco, Angel, Gallardo et al.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8lJtIYJCS8s

David Beckham (LA Galaxy) vs. Real Salt Lake (2) 5.03.08  (The man can still do what he’s always done best.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FJSpIueB6Ak&feature=related

Marcelo “El Muneco” Gallardo (DC United) vs. Real Salt Lake 4.26.08 (Full volley, pure skill, grand footballer.)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz3Zd4NtU-s

Marcelo Gallardo (DC United) vs. Chivas USA 5.17.08 (A decade after his glory days with River, “El Muneco” is the deadliest scorer in North America.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec8Ti73a_Qk&feature=related

Top ten de Cuauhtemoc Blanco en la MLS. (The great Mexican player, showing the U.S. how it’s done–his several goals on this clip all among the best of the year in the MLS.)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kbrc6njFYZA&feature=related

Superliga 2008 (MLS / Liga Mexicana)

Christian “El Hobbit” Bermudez (Atlante) vs. DC United  7.16.08 (Golazo by the diminutive teenager, for the victory on unwelcoming norteamericano soil.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TIchyJzhhAc&feature=related

Damian “La Chilendrina” Alvarez (Pachuca) vs. Santos Laguna 7.21.08 (The veteran Argentine forward scores impressively for Pachuca fifty seconds into the clip.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fyP6ynsm3lc

Mexico

Hugo Droguett (Tecos de UAG) vs. Atlante 2.03.08 (The incandescent Droguett scores the first and makes the second in Tecos’ surprising away win over reigning champions Atlante.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=w-xJgEZLoBU&feature=related

Fernando Arce (Santos Laguna)(2) vs. Tecos 3.30.08 (See the final goal on this short clip–the match finished off by the skillful Arce.)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dOBmuGQD2GY

Fernando Arce (Santos Laguna) vs. Tigres 4.26.08 (The clever midfielder Arce shows his great control and touch as he chips the keeper at 1:14 of this clip.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WfxqOzJqRtw&feature=related

Daniel Emmanuel Luduena (Santos Laguna) vs. Cruz Azul (Clausura gran final–return leg) 6.02.08 (The goal by the marvelous Argentine midfielder “Hachita” Luduena makes small-club Santos the Clausura campeon.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PEPpY7668FM

Alfredo Moreno (America) vs. Puebla 10.12.08   (This goal might be called orchestral: it includes a spectacular gambeta-cum-stepover that’s not showy but functional, serving to lose two bewildered defenders, followed by a quick blind pivot-on-a-penny, spin-on-a-grassblade to launch a beautiful shot across the body from distance off the underside of the bar–golazo-azo-azo for the Argentine forward they call “El Chango”, and for my money the goal of the year, anywhere.  It’s worth watching from several angles. The third of these is perhaps the best clip.)
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/1664267/
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/1664269/
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9hC3-JjuR3o

Dario Botinelli (Atlas)(2) vs. Atlante 8.28.08  (Another transplanted Argentine having a fine season in Mexico, see particularly his second on this clip.)

http://www.clubatlas.tv/view_video.php?viewkey=110656874902f0737800&page=1&viewtype=&category=mr

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0QPiZClK82o

Christian Correa (Pachuca) vs. Indios de Ciudad Juarez  8.30.08 (Lovely strike by Brazilian veteran scorer, couldn’t not include it.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=o34Iv_VPr8o

Mauricio Romero (Atlas) vs. Cruz Azul  8.23.08 (The chilena–overhead kick–of the year?)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oFVXX4DJ5gc&NR=1

Hugo Droguett (Morelia) vs. Monterrey 9.20.08  (Golazo by the long-haired Chilean.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bUcTj-fv1yA&feature=related

Christian “El Hobbit” Bermudez (Atlante) vs. America 9.22.08  (An authentic talent is born–here “the hobbit” beats Mexico’s best keeper, Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa of America.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rByAroSjPEw&feature=related

Andres “El Condor” Mendoza (Morelia) (2) vs. Necaxa 9.28.08 (The brilliant and temperamental Peruvian midfielder scores with force, will and finesse in Mexico.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PByK4umqmUY

Andres “El Condor” Mendoza (Morelia) (hat trick) vs. Jaguares de Chiapas 11.02.08 (The Condor strikes again.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TYG1Unn8Yb0

South America

Copa Libertadores ’08

compilations

Check out these two  montage compilations and then ask yourself, which tournament contained more great goals, Euro 2008 or this one?
Grandes Goles de la Copa Libertadores (parte 1)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fEjg6ct9V5E
Grandes Goles de la Copa Libertadores (parte 2)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-j_evKgxLNg&feature=related

Juan Roman Riquelme (Boca Jrs) Copa Libertadores 2008.  (Riquelme tournament highlights video, climaxing with his splendid free kick goal vs. Fluminense.   This seven-minute records many of the wonderful touches, sublime passes,  tricky gambetas and  wicked shots in this tournament by the noble Roman, whose intuitive skills and commanding vision remain the center of the potent Boca attack.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sCSk5m3teZQ&feature=related

Bruno “El Barullo” Marioni (Atlas de Guadalajara) all goals in copa libertadores 08. (Documents the heroic goals, decisive passes and acrobatic goal celebrations by the goleador of the copa, a one-man strike force keeping  dark-horse Atlas in the running well past even their supporters’ wildest expectations.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YdVtZqNYif0

individual goals

Mauricio “Mao” Molina (Santos) vs. Chivas de Guadalajara 3.04.08 (Individual goal of the tournament: the Colombian striker’s booming shot from well outside the area nearly brings rain, then just slips into Chivas keeper Luis Michel’s upper right corner, moving Santos to the top of  its group)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XY6kc2M_Ry4

Bruno Marioni (Atlas de Guadalajara)(2) vs. Boca Jrs  4.08.08  (The explosive Argentine forward, with something to prove against Argentine opponents in this tournament, carries his club on his shoulders through the difficult tie with Boca.)

Bruno Marioni (Atlas de Guadalajara) vs. Lanus 4.30.08   (Un gran taquito.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB48uTjOGXc&feature=related

Damian Manso (Liga de Quito) vs. Arsenal  3.26.08 (The brilliant midfielder Manso’s swerving free kick provides Liga’s third goal, his dream pass to Luis Bolanos their fourth, as Liga emerges from the group stages.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XacrLJgNobQ&feature=related

Damian Manso (Liga de Quito) vs. San Lorenzo  (quarter-final)  5.22.08 ( 1-0: another Manso free kick.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=s4xgNMDvhkU

Juan Roman Riquelme (Boca Jrs)(2) vs. Fluminense  (semi-final, first leg)  5.29.08 (Riquelme scores at the end of a typically lovely Boca link play initiated as usual by himself and continued through Martin Palermo and Rodrigo Palacios; Flu’s big guns Thiago Silva and Thiago Neves then respond to gain the crucial away draw.)   The first clip has English narration:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4XtBQH6djYI&feature=related

A second clip, spanish narration:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5la8f

Thiago Neves (Fluminense)(hat trick) vs. Liga de Quito  ( final, return leg)    6.08 (two clips)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lfhhuTbp5Yk&feature=related
http://www.dailymotion.com/related/x5zzap_fluminense-3-liga-universitaria-de_sport/video/x5x137_liga-4-fluminense-2-goles-bieler-gu_sport

Copa Sudamericana ’08

Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes) vs. Botafogo (semi-final) 10.21.08  (Veron, with Riquelme still one of the two best Argentine players continuing to play in their native country, dominates this important tie, not only with this masterly–and alertly opportunistic–long strike, but with an even better pass that produces his club’s second goal, unfortunately not caught on this clip.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6TN4-AJHbmI&feature=related

Braulio Luna (San Luis) vs. Deportivo Quito 8.29.08 (Over the wall but under the moon for dead-ball artist Luna.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3kPUXxP1y18&feature=related

Brazil

Ibson (Flamengo) (hat trick) vs. Palmeiras  11.16.08  (A  flashy show indeed from the quality striker on loan from Porto, the third goal a brilliant backheel.)

Argentina

Jairo Patino (Banfield) vs. Argentinos Jrs. 3.30.08  (The Colombian viejo remains a master scorer wherever he goes, as this excellent goal for Banfield shows.)
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4w6ar_banfield-32-argentinos-juniors-21-p_sport

Martin Morel (Tigre) vs. Argentinos Jrs. 2.11.08  (An early inkling of a great scoring year for the leader of this overachieving little club–later in the year to become, thanks largely to Morel’s efforts, the popular favorite  underdog in an Apertura title race against big clubs San Lorenzo and Boca.)
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4c7dk_tigre-21-gimnasia-la-plata-11-morel_sport

Gabriel Hauche (Argentinos Jrs.) vs. Lanus  5.31.08 (Exquisitely finessed golazo launched on the run from outside left with enough mysterious torque to corkscrew the shot into the extreme top right corner.)
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5ma5m_argentinos-juniors-30-lanus-20-hauc_sport

Agustin Pelletieri (Lanus) vs. Colon  2.23.08 (Another young Argentine with a bright future.)
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4h66s_40-51m-pelletieri-lanus_sport

Damian Escudero (Velez) vs Boca Jrs. 5.24.08  (The rising figura “El Pichi” Escudero navigates at stutterstepping quickpace through two lines of defenders to finish expertly.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YpoUHAJf5S0

Santiago Salcedo (Newell’s Old Boys) vs Gimnasia de Jujuy   6.16.08  (The kind of goal that caused this young sensation to draw a large transfer fee from River, where he then struggled.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MIGz7k0S7nA&feature=related

Matias Abelairas (River Plate) vs.  Gimnasia la Plata 5.10.08 (A key figure in River’s title run, the young midfielder “El Pitu” here leads the “Millionaires” past Gimnasia, scoring their first–at 1:00 of the clip–with a running, turning strike across goal from distance, making their second for Buonanotte and then finishing the job by scoring their third on a sweet  volley.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hIGnIEO3cFo&feature=related

Diego Buonanotte (River Plate)(2) vs. Argentinos Jrs. 4.27.08 (With these two goals–River’s first and third on the clip–as his annunciation, el mago Buonanotte comes of age, at exactly the right time for Simeone’s River.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pQo6f4EsD2c

Diego Buonanotte (River Plate) (2) vs. Olimpo  (6.06.08) (Clausura, 18th round:  River Campeon! — “…and a child shall lead them…”)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LdZOpfrHGLM&feature=related

Cano de buonanotte a neri Diego Buonanotte (River Plate) vs. Boca Jrs 11.07 (This clip captures the backdrop to a legend: it was the cheeky Buonanotte gambeta in the previous November’s clasico against hated Boca–audaciously nutmegging hard man Neri Cardozo at the touchline–that first hinted of this wisp of a lad’s surprising competitive fires…not to mention his budding dramatic skills.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-2E1PsM9YI&feature=related

Nicholas Pavlovich (Argentinos Jrs.) vs. Gimnasia la Plata (9.13/14.08) (A pretty finish, and the raw footage of the halftime fracas/polemica captures essential local atmospherics: a night out in Argentina.)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vz7cl4EHl4

Juan Roman Riquelme (Boca Jrs) vs. Arsenal 11.09.08 (A typical Riquelme free kick, and is it too much to suggest that there are few things in the world of athletics more aesthetically pleasing?   The last few seconds of the replay catch something of this beauty here.  Like a large awkward-looking long-legged waterbird taking flight, Roman glides forward toward the ball in one or two loping deliberate strides… and then the seeming ungainliness turns to fluent motion, stately elegance and grace, all in a fraction of a second: another score for Boca, and another minor masterpiece for the aficionados to  savor.)
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/1749737/

Juan Roman Riquelme–Temporada/season 2008 (Excellent video compilation of Riquelme skills, moves, passes and shots, exploring the mysteries of the enigmatic maestro who holds the keys to the perfect goal in Boca country: nice music track helps the interpretation, from “I’ve got soul but I’m not soldier” to the ballad of Riquelme, a man whose every act on the pitch seems to say “I am alone, isolated, unique.”)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=f0CkiEbjYrY

Carlos Ariel Recalde (Argentinos Jrs.) vs. Banfield 12.14.08 (Recalde drops this shocker in from somewhere out on the pampas.)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=U5goqyzBQ0c&feature=related

shorter clip:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YcHLzlMdA60

Gaston Aguirre (San Lorenzo) vs. Independiente 12.07.08 (Miraculous keeper-deconstructing footwork in front of goal by a portly defender who appears to have the touch of an angel mounted on the turning speed of an oil tanker –golazo!)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=uvzgzKL7BqE&NR=1

Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Jrs.) vs, San Lorenzo 12.20.08  (See the second Boca goal–a one-touch chain is begun in midfield by Riquelme, Palacio’s finish is enabled by Riquelme’s return pass, a  brilliant volleyed flick on the run: this crucial goal eliminates San Lorenzo from the season-ending triangular  Apertura championship playoff.)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OOcKSKuE-ug&feature=related

… and in the end my quest for the year’s perfect goal leads me back to September, and a game of perfect goals that would not stop coming–was I watching or merely dreaming it all?

Cesar Carranza/Adrian Gonzales/Jorge Luna/Fabio Pieters, et al.  Gimnasia Jujuy 4-3 Huracan    9.14. 08
(This last Argentine clip documents Gimnasia’s wild 4-3 victory in a match featuring the most thrilling exchange of brilliant goals anywhere on the planet in 2008–the goals start out great and, as the match tips back and forth, just keep getting better and better, what a night!  Enjoy!)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iL5faBEoBQc
longer version
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=121UWvGnYPk

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fx-8oy4MvGY&feature=related

addenda
2008 goal compilations

There are hundreds of these to be found on the internet; I’ll list only the one I liked best, plus a couple of representative samples.

Super goals 2008-2009. Great montage–”enjoy yourself, take only what you need”.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WRUzPMVELR8&feature=related

Amazing soccer goals 2008. Another montage, mostly EPL, with miscellaneous goals from Europe incl. AC Milan, plus  Mexico incl. Pachuca, Chivas.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfmuarBIts

Beautiful Goals 2008-2009. This one covers EPL and major European leagues as well as many unfamiliar goals from Poland and elsewhere in Eastern Europe.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ldLs92dY89A

best goal compilation sites, ongoing

The work of compiling great (and other) goals is conducted all year round on a daily basis by these two very useful sites.

Golo Do Ano

http://www.tvgolo.com/best_goal_of_the_week.php?subaction=showfull&id=1216553324&archive=&start_from=&ucat=57&

101 Great Goals
http://www.101greatgoals.com/

The Best Goals of 2008 – Navigation:

In Pursuit of the Elusive Perfect Goal: 2008
The Best Goals of 2008 – Part 1 (World Football)
The Best Goals of 2008 – Part 2 (England / Scotland)
The Best Goals of 2008 – Part 3 (Europe)
The Best Goals of 2008 – Part 4 (Americas)

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Many would agree that allowing the hosts of a tournament free passage into the competition is simply an absurd policy. However, this policy seems to imbue the two major world soccer tournaments today — The World Cup and the European Championships or the Euro, as is more popularly called.

In the World Cup, 32 places are available in the final tournament, however, one of them is reserved for the host nation, but if two or more nations host the competition jointly, each is awarded a place.This policy, also holds for the European Championships and even the Asian Cup.

Soccer savants have claimed that the use of such a policy, seriously blemishes the credibility of these tournaments and that it has taken away from potential truths about who is really the best. I tend to agree with this opinion and shall offer in this article, my reasons why automatic qualification must be abandoned in World tournaments.

The ultimate purpose of any tournament whether zonal or worldwide, is to seek the best team at that time. Let us use the recently concluded Euro as the example. My primary analytical question is, can we really say that Switzerland or Austria are better footballing nations than England or Denmark or North Ireland? When the 16 participating teams of the Euro finals are presented, the implicit assumption is that these 16 are the best of European football.

Yet, Switzerland and Austria were gratuitously included, solely on the basis of playing hosts, and moreover, at the expense of countries with a much richer football pedigree. The system must be rectified so that in the future, when the final 16 or 24 or 32 are presented, critics and fans can have peace of mind and no dispute; knowing that whosoever they are watching, has made it to the final count the fair way and in so doing deserve the right to be there. There must be no “if’s, but’s or maybe’s” about what could have been. This is the only way FIFA and/or UEFA can say that the competition reflects the truth and subsequently their rankings can be justified.

So much weight did this Euro carry, that Spain shot to number one in the world soon after their triumph. But let’s just suppose everyone had to qualify and England had taken that place. Suppose they were drawn into the same group as Spain and as a result Spain never made it out of the group stage. Would they now be claiming Spain is number one? Giving automatic places leaves too much room for suppositions. You can’t have an event that seeks to uncover the best when it makes a way for mediocre teams who may never have made it in the first place, if they had to go through the hard process of group qualification to get there. After allowing such a flaw, to claim that the tournament is fair and is a true reflection of who is the best is rubbish!

I feel that this policy to include the hosts is simply a chivalrous gesture and cannot be continued if we are really in search of the truth. Should they want to present a token of gratitude to the host nation(s), FIFA & UEFA need to find another way to achieve such a goal. The hosts already benefit from the exposure as well as the surge in their tourism sector, so how about just presenting them with an award or accolade. This can be done on the day of the finals, just as everyone is watching. It is a good way of paying respect to the nation for their hospitality. But just letting them compete in the finals on the merit of being the host is a terrible idea.

In Copa America, CONMEBOL’s version of the Euro, there is no qualification by way of hosting. ALL teams compete along with two invited teams. At the tournament’s end there can be no doubt about the champions. They are truly the champions because EVERYONE has been given a chance. Yes, I agree that CONMEBOL contains way fewer teams than UEFA, but, that just means UEFA is responsible for finding a way for all nations to enter a qualification process hence giving all nations equal opportunity to make it to the final 16. It makes little sense to have 51 out of 53 teams compete in qualifiers. The excluded two could have affected the final draw in too many ways. They too should have been put to the test, to see if they have what it takes to be among the best.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Watch Argentina v Brazil live online.

I have been, traditionally, a Brazil fan. I don’t remember since when, but I still did occasionally like Argentina. Although that was more due to a certain Diego Maradona. But ever since the departure of that colourful Argentinian my loyalties became pretty much concrete – with the Selecao.

Until this tournament.

Don’t get me wrong. I would still continue to admire and support the Brazilians. There is far too much joy in their game to push you from supporting them. Even their spectacular flop last summer did little to budge me on to another team. (Yes, in international football it is okay to switch loyalties, at times) But in this tournament, the Argentinians showed the kind of free flowing football that would make anyone drool. But it wasn’t so much for the pretty-ness of the Albiceleste as much as it was for the dourness of the Brazilians, that made me start liking the Argies.

After their horrible performance in the last world cup, I was happy with Dunga’s appointment as head coach, because I thought he would bring the one quality that was terribly lacking in the Brazilians – discipline. Despite his relative inexperience I saw him in the Roy Keane mould. An ex-captain who was inspirational on the field. One who led by example. True, the Brazilian game is usually built on the unbridled enthusiasm and self satisfaction that it gives the players. A chaos. But the successful sides always had a method to the chaos; a small element of discipline that characterized their play. This is what I expected from Dunga.

For the first few months I felt vindicated, in my own imaginary self that is. He was true to what I expected. To him the system was more important than just the individual stars. They did well, dispatching Argentina 2-0 in a friendly. The Copa America was meant to be a place where new young talent were given a run out ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. But the team, shorn of Ronaldinho, Kaka, Adriano and Ronaldo stuttered their way to the final in dour fashion. Whenever they needed a goal, Robinho helped them out.

In contrast, Argentina played like the perfect football team. Discipline and artistry in football is a heavenly marriage, something I’d have loved Brazil to possess. Argentina played like the Arsenal team that knew how to finish, how not to complicate matters in front of goal.

In the run-up to the final, while comparing the playing styles of the arch-rivals, Andrew Downie wrote on Soccernet that about best sums up the difference between the two teams, then and now:

That’s the way it has always been. Brazil were the ball players, Argentina the ball winners. Brazil played for the fun of it. Argentina played to win, any way they could. As the old cliché goes, it was happy, dancing samba against weary, melancholic tango.
Today, however, after almost three weeks of what can justifiably be considered the most entertaining international football tournament in recent memory, the tables have been turned.
Argentina are the ones playing the fast-paced, silky soccer that has the crowd on their feet; Brazil are dour, defensive and at times even cynical. When the two old rivals line up in Maracaibo on Sunday in the final of the Copa America, the smart money will be on the men in blue and white. Even the Brazilians know it.

But what really happened in the final that brought about this reversal in fortunes.

Dunga reminded us more like Mourinho – not in haughtiness – but the way he saw Brazil’s performance in the tournament. Especially after the win against Uruguay. Dunga said something to the effect of “If we cannot suffer we cannot become champions”. That rang true in the final. Brazil had sterner tests throughout the tournament. They lost early, something that brings team weaknesses well out in the open. In their first game against Chile, their 3-0 scoreline flattered them. Their defence was stretched in most games. Argentina on the other hand were allowed to play their game. So overpowering they were in all their games that teams had no chance to stretch their defence, which was always going to be their achilles heel. Never for once, were they really tested on that front – not even by Mexico. And that can sometimes prove very important experience in the crunch games.

In the final, Brazil were the tactically smarter team. They throttled Riquelme for space, cutting off service to Messi and Tevez. They had their moments that were few and far between. Alex and Juan were immense in defence. And Brazil’s physical approach proved too much for the Argentinians. The Argentinian defence, for once, was found stretched and their lack of pace was brutally exploited by Dani Alves, the marauding Sevilla full-back who finally came into his own in Brazil’s colours. Once again it reminds you of Arsenal getting thwarted on several occasions by the likes of Bolton and Blackburn.

Brazil’s win was one that was engineered in the dressing room. For once, they played a tactical game, that wasn’t too dour – and wasn’t pretty either – but it got the result Dunga wanted. However, it brought into light another important lesson – on how Argentina can be beaten on the big occasion. In fact, not just Argentina. It’s more of how such teams that don’t have Plan B can be thwarted.

Yes, it can sometimes mean that the team playing prettier football ends up on the losing side. But tactical naivety these days don’t really have too much of a place.

P.S: I’d love for Brazil to bring in a bit of flair though, but the final to me, was an interesting case for perspectives on tactics and pretty football. Of course, Manchester United won the title comfortably playing good football, didn’t they.

Red Ranter writes at the Man Utd blog.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

For Argentina, today was just another day. Glorious, free-flowing, creative football so typical of the Albiceleste was on display yet again. For Mexico, it was just another Copa America. Nobody beats them at reaching Copa semi-finals and then bowing out.

Argentina continue to produce some amazing goals as they hit three past Mexico this evening. Juan Roman Riquelme took over from where he left setting up one goal and scoring another, further strengthening his case for player of the tournament.

The game started with Argentina showing positive intent right from the word go. A number of chances were created. The midfield was doing its job well maintaining possession and creating some good balls. Mexico had defended tightly and, after a while, it was they who began to threaten. Mexico almost took the lead when Andres Guardado shot just wide. Their plan of containing Riquelme was also working well with the gifted playmaker at the receiving end of most fouls.

One foul, however, cost them dearly. Riquelme, not surprisingly, took the 44th minute free kick that turned the game around. His brilliant delivery found Heinze who acrobatically guided the ball in, leaving three defenders and the keeper staring hopelessly at each other.

The second half saw Mexico almost grabbing the equalizer with Nery Castillo’s effort hitting the crossbar. But it was Argentina who struck again in the 59th minute. Tevez played in a clever ball to Messi on the right, who came up with a chip of the highest quality to beat a diving Oswaldo Sanchez. Within a minute of the restart, Riquelme squandered a glorious opportunity to finish off Mexico once and for all. Nevertheless, they were finished when Tevez was brought down in the box. Riquelme’s beautifully taken penalty kick shut the door completely on Mexico.

Argentina now face Brazil for top honours in a rematch of the Copa America 2004 final. On that occasion, it was the Samba boys who came out victorious on penalties. Argentina have revenge on their minds, a shot at a record fifteenth Copa title and a golden opportunity to end a streak of 13+ years without a major trophy. Not to mention, a chance to beat their biggest rivals. Now thats a hell lot to play for. It should be one interesting Sunday.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Four high quality goals from Argentina saw them comfortably through to the semis. Peru was completely outplayed as Riquelme started and finished proceedings in style.

Despite no goals being scored in the first-half, Argentina created a couple of chances – the best ones coming off Messi’s boots. The 20 year old is slowly settling into his own with every game – today being arguably his best display.

Riquelme could have put Argentina ahead in the first-half but his tight-angled shot found the keeper. On another occasion, Messi picked up pace after beating a defender but his shot deflected off another and hit the post. Minutes later, it was Messi again, cutting into the box from the left. Having elegantly worked his way through two defenders, he got around
another one before taking a shot only to be denied by a fourth.

With scores levelled at nothing, it was time for Coach Basile to make a change. Tevez was introduced right after the interval in place of Diego Milito. He made his presence felt immediately. Zanetti sent the ball into the box for a diving Tevez header that hit the top post.

With nobody finding the net and pressure building up, someone needed to break the deadlock. It was Riquelme who answered the call. Making the ball his own after some delightful passes, Riquelme moved swiftly from right to centre before unleashing a fiery shot that gave the keeper no chance. Minutes later, Riquelme was again at the ball. Giving the impression he was going to take a shot, he produced one of those brilliant passes that so often make good defences look silly. It was meant for Messi who was more that glad to receive it before calmly beating a defender and the keeper to
make it 2-0.

The third goal was a smart combination play from Messi and Tevez. A cheeky Messi pass opened up Tevez on the left who ran into the area before returning the favour to Messi. The youngster was denied by the keeper but Argentina wasn’t as Mascherano was waiting on the right to pounce on the rebound.

The final goal originated at the other end from the Argentine keeper who cleared a set-piece to find Tevez. Breaking away on the counter, Tevez passed for Riquelme to finish in style.

Argentina now take on Mexico, who hammered six goals against Paraguay, in the semis in what should be a mouth-watering contest. If you happened to see the Arg-Mex world cup classic last year, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The Liverpool man is considered by many to be amongst the best holding midfielders in the world. Today he did just a little more. A second-half Javier Mascherano strike was enough to put Argentina atop group C setting up a quarter-final date with Peru.

On the other hand, Paraguay, who managed to contain Argentina for more than an hour, have to deal with Mexico in the knock-out stage.

The first half can, at best, be classified as mundane with both sides unable to break the deadlock. Wait a minute. Did I just say both ? Correction. Paraguay weren’t even trying to score. They were happy sitting back: it was Argentina who needed that goal after all. Digging deep into its reserves, Argentina unleashed a new look team which lacked the co-ordination and free-flowing game that is so very much their trademark. One got the impression that the sting in front of goal was not there today.

One of the rare quality first half chances came in the 13th minute. Cambiasso, working his way down the left, crossed in for Palacio who set up Aimar for a header that went just wide. Tevez sent a powerful far range shot wide. Cambiasso also managed a couple of neat first touches in this half, though that didn’t prevent the spectators from booing on numerous occasions when they were actually spectating.

After a dull half, Argentina resumed proceedings with a renewed sense of purpose. A number of chances were created. Two shots hit the post: The first, a low shot from Tevez when given the slightest of rooms. The second, a powerful strike from Palacio that bounced off the top. Tevez curled another one just over. A goal seemed coming anytime. However, it took a double substitution in the form of Messi (to the crowd’s delight) and Mascherano who also paired up to put Argentina ahead.

Messi’s speed and creativity brought new life into the attack. In a brilliant move, he moved up the left flank and beat two defenders before making the decisive cross. Mascherano, suddenly finding the ball at his feet and a gang of defenders running at him, came up with a high precision strike to save the day for Argentina.

Paraguay’s defence, that had almost done its job perfectly, was finally opened up. All further attempts to equalize went in vain.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Another day, it happens the same way. Team USA was handed its second loss of Copa America last night, this time at the hands of Paraguay.

It’s almost comical to watch at this point. The US clearly had more opportunities to win this game, and yet time and time again, these chances were flubbed by the terrible finishing of Eddie Johnson and Taylor Twellman, among others. It is pretty near impossible to win with strikers who are pass first, shoot second.

While Eddie Johnson has world class speed, once he actually touches the ball, he seems to lose all skill and poise, and either passes the ball backwards, or just plain blows a golden chance to score. It’s even sadder to see because we all see the skills he displays when he plays for his MLS team, Kansas City. Is the international game too fast for him to catch up to? Perhaps. But the only way to fix that is to keep playing. But he is killing this team right now. At 23, he still has plenty of time to make the adjustment and translate his skills from MLS to international play. But it needs to happen soon.

Taylor Twellman is a different story. He can’t seem to finish for this team, and his overall game seems to hinder the attack. His cleats are always top of the line and cool looking, so he does get style points. Too bad those don’t count for anything. In Copa, and in the Gold Cup, he had many opportunities to do something with the ball, only to either flail at it or get off a weak shot. He’s another that is terrible for the national team, yet tearing it up in MLS.

To me, that has to raise a few questions, namely, just what is the quality level of MLS? It is certainly not Premier League quality, even though you’ll have a hard time convincing Alexi Lalas of that. Is it the skill of Johnson and Twellman that allows them to score in MLS or are they just the product of shoddy defense and sometimes, luck?

Hopefully we get an answer to that question in the near future. I’d love to see both guys succeed, because their success translates to success for the national team. But right now, they are just liabilities out there, and it can’t stay that way if the US plans to compete for world glory.

It’s funny. This might not have been an issue if the US had convinced Giuseppe Rossi to not go to Italy and instead play for America. I understand that it was up to the player, but imagine how much better the national team would be if it had a go to forward it could count on. Johnson and Twellman can make us forget about Rossi, they have the talent to do so. Here’s hoping they can do it for us.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News