Copa America 2011

[culloty82]

The 1.30 a.m. start for Argentina-Bolivia defeated me, but by all accounts the Albiceleste were far from impressive, which begs the question - why does Messi appear to struggle with the national team, compared with his sparkling club form? Colombia looked impressive against Costa Rica just now, but should have been more comfortable than the 1-0 scoreline suggests, Falcao missed some golden opportunities. Probably more hope than expectation, but tipping Uruguay to win, look to have a solid attack and an awesome front two, and Brazil's new players like Neymar and Ganso may need another year to gel together.

[culloty82]

Group A:

Argentina
Bolivia
Colombia
Costa Rica

Before Friday, I'd have thought Argentina were certainties for this group, but Colombia only need a win/draw against the home team to essentially guarantee top spot. Costa Rica's U-23's or Bolivia are likely to be the worst thirds and be eliminated.

Group B:

Brazil
Ecuador
Paraguay
Venezuela

The Selecao should come top, with the ever-battling Paraguayans runners-up. Ecuador are in decline, so I'll tip Venezuela to cause a shock and make the last eight.

Group C:

Chile
Mexico
Peru
Uruguay

Like Costa Rica, this is Mexico B, but should still secure the last QF slot ahead of the incredibly weak Peruvians. Chile should follow up their decent World Cup performance, but Uruguay should have too much class here.

[BonnieShels]

Agree with everything you say here. Though I'll reserve full judgement on Group B til I see Venezuela over the next hour.

[culloty82]

Venezuela doing creditably so far, 0-0 at half-time, probably more that Brazil have a dose of Arsenal Syndrome than anything the men in wine have done.

[BonnieShels]

Playing a bit better now. some nice moves. would like to see them do something.

They should beat Ecuador.

[culloty82]

It hasn't exactly been the African Nations Cup in terms of goalmouth action so far has it - two scoreless draws yesterday. Maybe once we enter the second round of matches teams will be less cautious and really let rip. Rincon and Rondon did look good for Venezuela though.

[DaveyCakes]

There've been 4 matches for god's sake!

[DannyInvincible]

Weren't they moaning about the World Cup last year having started off the same way?

[BonnieShels]

Who's they?

Uruguay tonight. Nyiaow.

[tetsujin1979]

Who's they?

Uruguay tonight. Nyiaow.Isn't Nyiaow injured?

[DannyInvincible]

Who's they?

Adrian Chiles and that lot. I'll double-check the recordings later. :p

[outspoken]

Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay all made slow starts while Chile scored a great win over an in form Mexico (who might be tired after Gold Cup), Chile had a great world cup and I can see them going far in this competition, whos going to win it tho?

[BonnieShels]

Uruguay. There were flashes of brilliance last night that just needed a bit of finishing. Argentina weren't up to much and as for Brazil... hate the shower.

Missed the Chile game.

[paudie]

tonight
Brazil 2 Paraguay 2. Late equaliser from Brazil.

Last night
Uruguay 1 Chile 1
Peru 1 Mexico 0

[BonnieShels]

Well, no need for me to watch the recorded Uruguay game. :P

Good opportunity for Venezuela or Ecuador to go top tonight.

[BonnieShels]

Great goal from Gonzalez tonight. Best team won.

[culloty82]

So, it turns out Argentina finished comfortable runners-up in the group after hammering Costa Rica's Olympic team 3-0. Should be interesting with Brazil tonight, anything less than victory over Ecuador tonight, and they could be left sweating over the third-placed teams table, but both they and Paraguay should get the results required. Indeed, topping Group B could be a poisoned chalice, depending on where Uruguay finish in their group if they overcome Mexico, Peru have been the major surprise after their last WC qualifying campaign.

[BonnieShels]

Recorded the game. Managed to get til lunch and see the result. Am gutted.

[culloty82]

Argentina play Uruguay in the quarter-finals (the most-played fixture in international football, trivia fans), but I'll stay firm, even if they haven't been terribly impressive to date. Could be another local derby if Colombia wind up play Venezuela - Group B is actually being played tonight, so Peru , Chile and Colombia will only then discover their opponents, but Costa Rica's negative goal difference almost ensures their elimination.

[BonnieShels]

Big one tonight... Argentina v Uruguay

[Cuyahoga]

Big one tonight... Argentina v Uruguay
Great game Uruguay are playing well 1.1 at the moment.

[BonnieShels]

Into ET now.

Thoroughly enjoying it.

Love both teams so gonna be pretty annoyed at the end result no matter what.

[BonnieShels]

Gone to penalties.

[geysir]

That was some game.
I fancy Uruguay in the shoot out.

[BonnieShels]

Muslera was incredible.
Messi up first...





Goal.

[BonnieShels]

Forlan up...


Scores


Burdisso up...

Scores.
Great peno.


Suarez up...


Scores.

Tevez...



Saved!!!!



Scotti up...

Scores.


Pastore...

Blessed. Goal.


Gargano...

Scores.

This is it for Argentina...

Higuain up...

Hits the bar twice.
Scores.

Caceres...

Cracking penalty.

Uruguay through 5-4 on penalties.

[geysir]

That's £2m off Tevez's transfer fee.

[geysir]

Just aim for the middle of the stanchion and belt it as hard as you can.

[Cuyahoga]

Uruguay win penalty shoot out 5.4

[BonnieShels]

Please for the love of god may they win the copa.

[geysir]

Perfecto from Uruguay in the shoot out, just like Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven.

[holidaysong]

That was a fantastic game last night. Really glad I stayed up to watch it. Looking forward to this Brazil vs. Paraguay game tonight now too. Hope Uruguay can go on to win the tournament so hoping for another upset tonight.

[BonnieShels]

What a **** game.
Brazil are terrible and deserve to be out.

Come on Paraguay.

[BonnieShels]

Brazil up first.

Elano...

Spoons it!

Worst peno I've ever seen.

Bareto up...

Wide!!!

Thiago Silva...

Saved!!!

Estigarribia...

Scores!
Great penalty!


Andre Santos...

Spooned!!!

Riberos...

Scored


Fred...

Misses!!!


Paraguay are through 2-0 on penalties.

[dfx-]

Brazil in lofty company with Rovers it would seem..

[culloty82]

And now Venezuela shock Chile to meet Paraguay in the second semi- it's beginning to look a lot like Uruguay.

[BonnieShels]

Uruguay were my tip from day one.

[old git]

What a **** game.
Brazil are terrible and deserve to be out.

Come on Paraguay.

brazil were terrible but still probally deserved to win game on chances created . but their penalties were shocking.. looks like it is uraguay to win it unless another shock on the cards .

[dfx-]

Paraguay were terrible to watch, like the World Cup last year. Hoping Venezuela, an impressive solid side, who've already come back from 1-3 down against Paraguay can beat them..

[BonnieShels]

With you on that dfx. Liked Venezuela. Like their attitude.

Old git, you are right, but I've always had a dislike for Brazil and tbh nothing they do will allow me to give them any credit. A Uruguay Venezuela final will suit me down to the ground.

[superfrank]

I'd love a Venezuela Peru final. Fingers crossed

I thought Brazil were the better side in what I saw of the match last night. Villar kept Paraguay in it with some top-class stops.

[geysir]

I haven't seen Paraguay yet in this tournament but I enjoyed watching their World cup games.
There was a bit of a change to Chile's reckless abandon attack at all times - with all 10 players- then sprint back like mad when possession is lost.

Uruguay's performance against Argentina, especially after they went down to 10 men, was one of the best I have seen. Forlan just gets better and better, when you'd think he would be entering his twilight years.
After that game, I fear the rest is an anti climax.

[BonnieShels]

RTÉ again foil me and show me the result of the game last night.

Ffs.

[BonnieShels]

So its an all-Guay final.

Paraguay get to it without winning a game.

Uruguay should have too much for them.

[dfx-]

Words fail to describe how bad that game last night was. Paraguay were abysmal. Venezuela tried in the first half of normal time and in extra time hitting the bar, but the second half of normal time was a farce.

I don't think I could stomach another Paraguay game.

Competitive games in 13 months barring one 3-3 and a 2-2:

Paraguay 0-0 Japan
Paraguay 0-1 Spain
Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Paraguay 0-0 Brazil
Paraguay 0-0 Venezuela

[culloty82]

For the health of international football, we need a Uruguay win on Sunday - has any team ever won a senior international tournament without winning a match?

[BonnieShels]

We coulda time it 1990!

When was it we played Paraguay in the RDS, 09 or 10?

Uruguay will win comfortably.

[geysir]

I could tolerate Paraguay winning, only if Larissa Riquelme renewed her pledge to run naked through the streets.

edit,
I see she has already pledged to do it. A country holds it's breath.

[BonnieShels]

Can't wait for this game tonight.

[BonnieShels]

1-0 to Uruguay. More goals in this one.