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1. Castillo (Mexico v Brazil 23 mins) Video clip
2. Riquelme (Argentina v Peru 47 mins) Video clip
3. Messi (Argentina v Peru 61 mins) Video clip
4. Morales (Mexico v Brazil 28 mins) Video clip
5. Crespo (Argentina v USA 64 mins) Video clip
6. Villanueva (Chile v Ecuador 20 mins) Video clip
7. Valencia (Ecuador v Chile 15 mins) Video clip
8. Garcia (Uruguay v Venezuela 64 mins) Video clip
9. Suazo (Chile v Brazil 76 mins) Video clip
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1. Castillo (Mexico v Brazil) Video clip
2. Correa (Mexico v Paraguay) Video clip
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 Venezuela |
1 |
(Arango 41) |
 Uruguay |
4 |
(Forlan 38, Garcia 64, Rodriguez 86, Forlan 90) |
Date: July 07 2007
Venezuela's dream came to an end as a Diego Forlan double helped dump out the hosts as the
Uruguayans at last found some form. The game started brightly with the home keeper Renny Vega
denying Forlan a couple of times as fans in the Pueblo Nuevo urged their team on. The Villareal
forward was again close as he slammed a gilt-edged chance just wide before finally
making amends in the 38th minute, collecting Pereira's fine pass before slotting home. However,
the home fans despair lasted only 3 minutes as midfielder Juan Arango smashed home a 30 yard
free-kick with the help of a deflection off the Uruguayan wall. Hector Carini made a great save
at the start of the 2nd half as la Vinotinto's sensed another shock was on the cards.
But 20 minutes
into the 2nd half another fantastic goal (how many can this tournament conjure up ?), this time
from the left foot of Pablo Garcia after a great one-two with Fucile, saw the Uruguayans
restore their lead. Venezuela piled forward in search of another equaliser, and both Hector Gonzalez
and substitute Daniel Arismendi coming agonisingly close,
but with Forlan having one of his better days, and looking constantly dangerous, it came as no
surprise when, with just 4 minutes left on the clock, Cristian Rodriguez lashed home a 3rd.
Forlan gave the score a rather unfair look by banging in a 4th during injury time.
MD's man of the match: Forlan (Uruguay)
Video clip: click here.
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 Chile |
1 |
(Suazo 76) |
 Brazil |
4 |
(Juan 16, Baptista 23, Robinho 27, Robinho 50, Josue 58, Vagner Love 85) |
Date: July 07 2007
Another 2 goals and another man of the match performance from Robinho helped Brazil to a crushing
6:1 defeat over Chile in Puerto la Cruz, although this time the Real Madrid forward was not
left to do it all on his own as Vagner Love and Julio Baptista weighed in with strong performances.
The game was effectively over midway through the 1st half as goals from Juan (from a corner),
Baptista (rifled home from just inside the penalty area) and Robinho (another edge of the box
effort) saw Dunga's much criticized men storm ahead of the shell-shocked Chileans. Liverpool
winger Mark Gonzalez came close to the goal of the tournament with a left foot effort that thumped
against the bar, but it was a rare moment of trouble for Brazilian keeper Doni. Robinho
ghosted in 5 minutes after the restart to claim his 6th goal of the tournament, Josue finished
off a decent move 8 minutes later to make it 5:0 and at that stage it looked like a 8 or 9 goal
scoreline could be on the cards. But Chile managed to hold out and forward Humberto Suazo gained
a modicum of personal respect by scoring a great goal after 76 minutes, nutmegging Gilberto before
sending a lovely little chip over Doni. There was still time for Brazil to get a 6th, Elano and
Vagner Love's neat one-two being finished off by the latter 5 minutes from time.
MD's man of the match: Robinho (Brazil)
Video clip: click here.
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 Mexico |
6 |
(Castillo 5 pen, Torrado 27, Castillo 38, Arce 79, Blanco 87 pen, Bravo 90) |
 Paraguay |
0 |
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Date: July 8 2007
Sometimes when a team has a player sent off, the remaining 10 men manage to perform heroics
and sometimes dish out a surprise. Not this game. When Paraguay stopper Bobadilla was sent off
after just 3 minutes for taking out Nery Castillo, the game was all but over from the second
Castillo picked himself up and squeezed it past replacement keeper Zayas.
To be fair to Paraguay, at 1:0 they had a couple of great chances, both falling to Cardozo
but both missed. It was just delaying the inevitable though, as 2 great finishes from
Gerardo Torrado and Castillo put the Mexicans 3 up, whilst Jaime Correa missed a great chance to
make it 4, somehow sending his shot wide when it looked easier to score. Paraguay came out all
guns blazing in the 2nd half and came 3 times to reducing the deficit, but the Mexican defence,
marshalled by Rafael Marquez, stood firm and some comedy keeping from Zayas allowed
Fernando Arce's edge of the box effort to make it 4:0. The last few minutes saw Mexico achieve
their best score-line in the Copa America as a Blanco penalty and a header from Bravo made it 6.
MD's man of the match: Castillo (Mexico)
Video clip: click here.
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 Argentina |
4 |
(Riquelme 47, Messi 61, Mascherano 75, Riquelme 85) |
 Peru |
0 |
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Date: July 8 2007
Another game, another 4 goals for Argentina. Yet at half-time it looked like Peru might be able
to spring a surprise, their pressing game clearly frustrating the Argentinians and Paulo Guerrero
in particular looking like he might be able to sneak something for the underdogs. Messi had come closest to breaking
the deadlock - his lovely run from from the left ending in a deflection that came back off the
crossbar. A phenomenal left foot strike from Riquelme just 2 minutes after the interval
broke the deadlock. Now the Argentinians were almost unstoppable. A Tevez header thumped bar
after a fantastic surging run down the right from Javier Zanetti. And then a fantastic pass from
Riquelme found Messi who calmly poked the ball past Butron. Another fantastic move between
Messi and Tevez resulted in the 3rd goal from Liverpool's Javier Mascherano as the Argentinians
enthralled the fans in the Metropolitano with some of the football they were producing.
And still their was time for more - this time Argentinian goalkeeper Abbondanzieri got in on
the act, having nearly got himself into trouble out near the corner flag he somehow managed to
find Carlos Tevez who brilliantly beat his marker before squaring the ball for man of the
match Riquelme to slide home his 2nd of the game and set up a mouth watering semi-final
against the red hot Mexicans.
MD's man of the match: Riquelme (Argentina)
Video clip: click here.
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Venezuela |
0 |
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Uruguay |
0 |
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Date: July 03 2007
The tournament's first goal-less draw, and by the far the worst game of what's been a cracking
tournament, not that the hosts are complaining though, as it means
they qualify for the quarter finals as winners of the group, a massive achievement considering
their previous results in the Copa America and status of the continents whipping boys.
To be fair it was a pretty poor game, and Uruguay were pretty lifeless once again. Most of the
danger came from long range efforts, with the home nations' Juan Arango and Cesar Gonzalez
coming close on a few occasions. Results else where mean that the Uruguayans will limp through
as one of the best 3rd placed teams.
MD's man of the match: Vera (Venezuela)
Video clip: don't bother!
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Peru |
2 |
(Pizarro 34, 85) |
 Bolivia |
2 |
(Moreno 24, Campos 45) |
Date: July 03 2007
Chelsea striker Claudio Pizarro struck 2 equalisers to send Erwin 'Platini' Sanchez's Bolvian
team home and book his Perus place in the quarter finals.
Bolivia, again showing off their fine passing game, went ahead half way through the first half
with another contender for goal of the tournament, flicking up a loose ball on the edge of the
area before lobbing it over Butron. However, the lead lasted just 10 minutes as Pizarro powered
in a header from Marino' cross. Another 10 minutes later and Bolivia restored their advantage
as they broke quickly down the right and as the cross flew over Campos was hand to lash home
a left foot volley in to the roof of the net.
As the match approached it's conclusion it looked like Bolivia had done enough but with just 5
minutes left Marino floated over another free-kick and Pizarro powered in another header.
Apart from their opener against Uruguay the Peruvians have been far from convincing and
the Bolivians, whose brand of football should be applauded, could easily have made the next stage
with a little more luck and some tighter defending.
MD's man of the match: Campos (Bolivia)
Video clip: click here.
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Venezuela |
2 |
(Cichero 48, Arismendi 79) |
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Peru |
0 |
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Date: June 30 2007
After the rough and tumble of the afternoon match, the Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo
witnessed another stormy game for the evening match, as hosts Venezuela created history by
going to the top of a group for the first time.
Mexican ref Armando Archundia gave them a helping hand by sending off Peruvian midfielder
Pedro Garcia after just 14 minutes for an elbow on Maldonado, despite the Venezuelan forward
being heavily involved in the tussle as well. Venezuela made their advantage pay at the start
of the 2nd half when Cichero directed his header into the top corner from a 48th minute corner.
The Mexican ref, who was involved in controversy the previous month for disallowing Canada an injury
time goal in the Gold Cup semi-final, was involved again as he ignored a great appeal for a penalty
from Chelsea new boy Pizarro 14 minutes later. Peru piled on the pressure and were right back in it
when Venezuelan forward Paez was sent off for a 2nd offence (putting the ball in the net after the
whistle had gone!) with just over ten minutes left.
But the Polideportivo erupted one minute later as substitute Daniel Arismendi's mazy run ended
with a low, almost mis-hit shot that just sneaked in past Butron.
There was still time for more bizarre action as Cichero was booked for unsporting behaviour
after his 'keepy uppy' near his own box infuriuated the Peruvian players and caused scuffles
at the end of the game.
MD's man of the match: Cichero (Venezuela)
Video clip: click here.
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Bolivia |
0 |
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Uruguay |
1 |
(Sanchez 58) |
Date: June 30 2007
Uruguay get their 1st points on the board with a narrow 1:0 victory over Bolivia in San Cristobal.
A wild first half saw the Uruguayans set there stall out with some ferocious challenges as
American ref Toledo, looking bewildered at what was going on, completely failed to get a grip.
However, the Bolivians, playing a really tidy passing game, weren't put off and continued to dominate
the possesion through midfield, although they weren't creating any actual goal-scoring chances.
And is often the case, Uruguay took the opportunity against the run of play as Vicente Sanchez
bundled home Perez's right wing cross and put them back in contention for the group. Bolivia, on the
other hand, are still searching for their first Copa America for ten years.
MD's man of the match: Arce (Bolivia)
Video clip: click here.
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Venezuela |
2 |
(Maldonado 20, Paez 55) |
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Bolivia |
2 |
(Cichero OG 39, Arce 84) |
Date: June 26 2007
Hosts Venezuela twice lost the lead against Bolivia in a ding-dong match in the Pueblo Nuevo
stadium in San Cristobal. Diego Maradona was there with Venezuela president Hugo Chavez to open
the tournament and saw Giancarlo Maldonado give the home team the lead after 20 minutes
with a left footer
after Paez threaded a fine pass through for him. But 5 minutes before half-time the Bolivians
were level - great play out wide on the left from ex-Boro misfit Jaime Moreno ended with
Cichero putting the ball in his own net. 10 minutes into the 2nd half Venezuela went back in
front after another fine pass picked out Paez, unmarked on the right, who made it 2:1 with a
lovely little dink over the keeper. Venezuela looked like they might hold out for the win
but with just 6 minutes left Cabrera's right wing cross was touched home by Corinthians
striker Juan Carlos Arce.
MD's man of the match: Maldonado (Venezuela)
Video clip: click here.
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Peru |
3 |
(Villalta 27, Marino 69, Guerrero 89) |
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Uruguay |
0 |
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Date: June 26 2007
Peru get the tournament off to a shock start by cruising past Uruguay with a thoroughly
deserved 3:0 win. Peru scored their first after 27 minutes when Miguel Villalta headed home
Jefferson Farfan's cross. 5 minutes later Hamburg's Paolo Guerrero had another effort disallowed
for offside as the Peruvians dominated the game. Uruguay, missing influential forward Alvaro
Recoba through injury, were really disappointing and it took them over 40 minutes to muster their
first shot on target. Guerrero continued to pose the Uruguayans all sorts of problems and came
close to setting up Chelsea new boy Claudio Pizarro after the break. Carlos Marino sealed the
game when he rammed home an absolute belter after 69 minutes and Guerrero got his reward in the
last minute with a simple tap in to make it 3:0 following a decent move with Mendoza.
MD's man of the match: Guerrero (Peru)
Video clip: click here.
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Brazil |
1 |
(Robinho 54 pen) |
 Ecuador |
0 |
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Date: July 4 2007
Robinho notched his 4th goal of the tournament as Brazil progressed to the quarter finals and in
the process sent Ecuador packing.
For the 3rd game in a row the Brazilians initially struggled to break down the opposition, and
it took a dubious 2nd half penalty to give them the points. As Robinho lollipop'd his way into
the penalty area on the right a slight hold from Espinoza was enough to send the Real Madrid player
down, and he stepped up to slot home an almost identical penalty to the one against Chile, with it
just finding its way under Elizaga. Brazil will now meet Chile (who they beat 3:0 in the previous
game) in the quarter finals.
MD's man of the match: Josue (Brazil)
Video clip: click here.
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Mexico |
0 |
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Chile |
0 |
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Date: July 4 2007
A rival to Venezuela v Uruguay for the worst game of the tournament, the fans in Puerto la Cruz'
Estadio Olimpico Luis Ramos were jeering the players off at the end of it as both teams seemed to
settle for a draw that took Mexico through as group winners and Chile
through as one of the best 3rd placed teams. Both Nelson Acosta and Hugo Sanchez claimed their
teams were trying to win the game, although Acosta did admit that qualification was the main aim,
despite the fact it means they will now face Brazil again in the next round. Mexico will play the
runners up from Group C, which will be either Argentina or Paraguay.
MD's man of the match: Ochoa (Mexico)
Video clip: Don't bother.
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Mexico |
2 |
(Castillo 21, Bravo 79) |
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Ecuador |
1 |
(Mendex 84) |
Date: July 1 2007
Mexico kept up their 100% record with a 2:1 win in the evening game at the Monumental.
Nery Castillo put them one up at the midway point of the 1st half, a great little move ended
with Castillo picking up a slide-rule pass from Barcelona's Rafael Marquez before rounding
Mora and tucking it away.
Ecuador had some decent efforts in the 2nd half, although most of them were from long range,
but with 10 minutes to go Chivas striker Omar Bravo met Blanco's fantastic cross from the right
to arrow a stooping header into the corner of the net. Mendez pulled one back for Ecuador
5 minutes later with a deflected thunderbolt but it was another fairly comfortable win for
Hugo Sanchez.
MD's man of the match: Castillo (Mexico)
Video clip: click here.
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Brazil |
3 |
(Robinho 36 pen, 84, 87) |
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Chile |
0 |
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Date: July 1 2007
Some traditional samba magic from Robinho ensured Brazil got back on track with a 3:0 win over
Chile in Maturin. Chile had started well but a dubious penalty 10 minutes from the break for an
alleged push saw Robinho squeeze the ball under Claudio Bravo. As in the Mexico game, Brazil
were hardly the free-flowing team of old, and both Suazo and Valdivia came close to scoring for
Chile. You could just sense the relief from Dunga and the rest of the Brazilian bench when Robinho
dinked the ball over Bravo with just 6 minutes after being played through by Vagner Love.
And 3 minutes later a great 40 yard solo effort from the Real Madrid forward put the icing on the
cake for Dunga and his team.
MD's man of the match: Robinho (Brazil)
Video clip: click here.
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Brazil |
0 |
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Mexico |
2 |
(Castillo 23, Morales 28) |
Date: June 27 2007
2 fantastic goals, an incredible miss and some inspired goalkeeping saw Mexico shock holders
Brazil in the Polideportivo Cachamay. It could all have been so different
had Brazil not had a goal disallowed for a dubious offside decision, but Mexico took
advatange with 2 fantastic goals. The first, from Nery Castillo, was the sort of goal that Dennis
Bergkamp would have had English newspapers drooling over, flicking it over the defender then slotting it
past Doni. Had we seen the goal of the tournament already ? 5 minutes later Ramon Morales decided
to get in on the act by bending a free-kick over the Brazilian wall and beyond a motionless Doni.
Brazil's method of playing 2 holding midfielders has clearly been sussed out and in the first half they
were so predictable it was almost painful. Dunga changed things around at the interval and a 2nd half
onslaught began, with Robinho in particular looking increasingly dangerous. But goalie Guillermo Ochoa
blocked, parried or saved everything they could throw at him. All that was left was for Castillo
to miss an absolute sitter, leaving us all pondering over how anyone who'd scored that opener could
possibly conjure up some a comedy moment.
MD's man of the match: Ochoa (Mexico)
Video clip: click here.
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Ecuador |
2 |
(Valencia 15, Benitez 23) |
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Chile |
3 |
(Suazo 20, Suazo 80, Villanueva 86) |
Date: June 27 2007
Another cracking game sees the Copa drama continue as Ecuador and Chile play out another topsy-turvy game
in Puerto Ordaz's Polideportivo Cachamay. 3 goals in just 8 minutes (the first couple were excellent, the
3rd was comical defending and keeping) saw Ecuador take a 2:1 first half lead.
Ecuador deservedly kept the lead until the 80th, when Colo Colo striker Humberto 'Chupete' Suazo equalised
for the 2nd time
in the game. And just 6 minutes later there was yet more heartbreak for the Tricolors as Villanueva
curled home a great free-kick for the winner.
MD's man of the match: Suazo (Chile)
Video clip: click here.
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Argentina |
1 |
(Mascherano 79) |
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Paraguay |
0 |
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Date: July 05 2007
A rare goal from Liverpool star Javier Mascherano 11 minutes from time, celebrated as if the
Argentinians had won the trophy itself, gave a much changed Argentinian side a deserved victory
over Paraguay. The win meant they finished on top of group C and avoided a difficult
quarter final against Mexico. Argentina dominated the game and came close several times,
with Carlos Tevez and Rodrigo Palacio both hitting the bar. With a defensive Paraguay looking
like they might nick a point, justice was done as Lionel Messi tricked his way down the left
before his cross was cleared to the edge of the box where Mascherano somehow managed to clip
the ball in beyond Bobadilla.
MD's man of the match: Gago (Argentina)
Video clip: click here.
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 USA |
0 |
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 Colombia |
1 |
(Castrillon 16) |
Date: July 05 2007
Colombia claimed wooden spoon glory as the young American team went home pointless, although they showed
signs of some promising periods of play in all 3 of their games. Despite the loss of star midfielder
David Ferreira, the Colombians started the game brightly, and took the lead after 16 minutes when
Castrillon lost his marker to connect with Zuniga's great cross. USA goalie Brad Guzan brought down
Hugo Rodallega 10 minutes before the interval, but redeemed himself by saving from the same player.
An eventful game ended in chaotic scenes as Colombian keeper Robinson Zapata got a 2nd yellow for time
wasting (pretending to tie his shoes!), which lead to prolonged protests as it took what seemed an
eternity for Zapata to leave the pitch. And as they'd used up all their substitutes Rodallega
had to don the gloves for the final stages.
MD's man of the match: Rodallega (Colombia)
Video clip: click here.
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Argentina |
4 |
(Crespo 19 pen, Riquelme 34, Riquelme 45, D.Milito 90) |
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Colombia |
2 |
(E.Perea 10, Castrillon 73) |
Date: July 02 2007
Another cracking game saw a frantic opening in which Crespo hit the bar for Argentina before Edixon
Perea cleverly deflected a shot with a backheel to give the coffee makers a surprise lead. It lasted
only 10 minutes though as Brazilian ref Carlos Simon gave a dubious penalty after Lionel Messi went
over, despite both him and the defender appearing to raise their feet together. Crespo thundered in
the penalty but received a bizarre injury as he hit it and was replaced by Diego Milito straight away.
The 1st half drama continued as man of the match Riquelme struck twice, the 1st a deft little header
at the end of a seeping move, the 2nd a 25 yard free-kick. At 3:1 Argentina looked comfortable, but
when Castrillon pulled one back from a corner Argentina were left holding on as the Colombians came
close on a number of occasions to getting a famous equaliser. However, Fabian Vargas was sent off
for a 2nd bookable offence before Diego Milito's deflected shot looped into the Colombian net in
injury time to secure the points and book a relieved Argentinian team into the quarter finals with a
game to go.
MD's man of the match: Riquelme (Argentina)
Video clip: click here.
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USA |
1 |
(Clark 35) |
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Paraguay |
3 |
(Barreto 29, Cardozo 56, Cabanas 90) |
Date: July 2 2007
The American team got in the mood to celebrate the good old 4th of July by 'getting their asses
whooped' by the free-scoring Paraguayans, who look like they could be one of the tournament's dark
horses. To be fair, it wasn't a whooping by any means, and if both sides had taken their chances it
could have ended up about 4 all. Barreto opened the scoring in the 29th minute, finishing off a
great move as Cordozo sent him through with a lovely touch that he finished off by clipping it over
Kasey Keller. The States still looked dangerous and equalised 10 minutes later as Twellman fed
Ricardo Clark to sweep the ball in from the edge of the box. Man of the match Oscar Cordozo restored
the lead 10 minutes into the 2nd half, intercepting a rogue back-pass and lashing home a left footer
into the far corner of the goal. With the game opening up as the searched for an equaliser the match
turned into an absolute classic as both teams took it in turn to pepper the goal. Chance after chance
went begging until substitute Salvador Cabanas stepped up in injury time to bend in a 25 yard free
kick. Paraguay will next face Argentina to see who tops the group whilst the Americans will head
home after the Colombian game knowing that with better finishing their depleted team could have made
the quarters finals.
MD's man of the match: Cardozo (Paraguay)
Video clip: click here.
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Argentina |
4 |
(Crespo 11, Crespo 64, Aimar 78, Tevez 85) |
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USA |
1 |
(Johnson 9 pen) |
Date: June 28 2007
Does anybody else wish there was as many goals at the European Championships as this ? The Americans
took a surprise lead through an Eddie Johnson penalty after 9 minutes but the tournament favourites came
straight back and Crespo reponded immediately following a goal-mouth scramble. The Americans held out for
nearly an hour but fell behind to another Crespo goal following a fantastic move through the heart of the
USA defence. Aimar wrapped things up with a bullet header with 12 mins left and Tevez added a 4th, slotting
home after 85 minutes.
MD's man of the match: Messi (Argentina)
Video clip: click here.
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Paraguay |
5 |
(Santa Cruz 30, Santa Cruz 46, Santa Cruz 80, Cabanas 85, Cabanas 88) |
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Colombia |
0 |
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Date: June 28 2007
Yet more goals ! Bayern Munich's Roque Santa Cruz was the hero as he grabbed a hat-trick as Paraguay
crushed the Colombians in the Estadio Jose Pachencho Romero. Yet things had looked quite rosey for
Colombia after they started brightly and were handed a penalty after 28 mins for a foul on Ferreira.
But Dominguez's poor penalty was easily saved and 2 minute later Santa Cruz was opening his account with
a fine left foot finish. Santa Cruz gave Paraguay the lead just 20 seconds into the 2nd half, after which
Colombia's defence decided to go awol as the team searched for an equaliser, leading to 3 goals
in the last 10 minutes, Stanta Cruz claiming his ha-trick and substitute Salvador Cabanas
claiming a brace with 2 quality finishes.
MD's man of the match: Santa Cruz (Paraguay)
Video clip: click here.
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