Football always serves up the opportunity for revenge. While many will say it’s a dish best served cold, Brazil’s defeat will remain hot. For now, at least.
After finishing runner-up in the last two editions of the Copa America, not to mention losing in the final of the Confederations Cup in 2005, Argentina – who live and breath the world game – has suffered three humiliating blows against ‘La Selecao’.
But the square-up has finally arrived.
In the semi-finals of the Olympic football tournament, an opportunity presented itself for Sergio Batista’s men to gain the revenge they have wanted for years now.
It was a chance Argentina took with both hands as they squashed, humiliated then annihilated Brazil 3-0 in Shanghai, qualifying for the gold medal match against Nigeria on Saturday.
Argentina’s emphatic victory was won through skill and determination. Just the way the Chinese faithful love it.
The first half served as an education for both sides.
Caution characterised the opening 20 minutes. The Riquelme-Messi show was yet to start due to Brazilian coach Dunga’s tactic of pressuring the Argentine captain one on one.
Lucas stuck to Riquelme like glue.
Brazilian players Anderson and Marcelo focused their energy on containing Argentina’s right edge attack, which contained Barcelona midfielder Lionel Messi.
On Brazil’s side, Ronaldinho intended on showcasing his talents for Brazilian forward Rafael Sobis, who was left as a lone striker.
While Argentina played the better football, there were some alarms set by the Brazilian back Rafinha.
His persistence to attack Argentina’s right side defence caused problems for ‘La Seleccion’.
Brazil’s best opportunity came to Sobis, who failed to strike the ball with precision close to goal.
The second half was all about Argentina. Riquelme was brilliant.
As he started to gain control, so did the authority of star midfielders Javier Mascherano and Fernando Gago. Their pressure forced Brazil to give up easy possession on their own side of the park, whilst granting Di Maria the opportunity to create something for Argentina.
Di Maria whipped in a beautiful cross for Sergio Aguero to establish a 1-0 lead for Batista’s men.
After Argentina’s goal, Dunga was forced to act.
He replaced the ineffective Sobis and Hernanes for AC Milan star Alexandre Pato and Thiago Neves – two players that can cause a problem or two.
Despite the changes, Argentina’s defence, which was led well by Pareja and Garay, stood firm.
Garay, in particular, involved himself in most of his sides’ attacking threats.
It was him in the end that played the through ball for Aguero to notch his second goal, after a clinical assistance from Messi.
After going two goals down, Brazil became desperate.
Ronaldinho hit the post after striking a glorious free kick. Unfortunately for Dunga’s men, that was all the new AC Milan midfielder provided in an otherwise disappointing display.
From then on, Argentina controlled possession and Riquelme was once again the architect.
Once Brazil became desperate, Riquelme could seize the moment and provide Messi with possession to weave his magic.
It was Messi’s pass that found Aguero and allowed him to gain a penalty that would effectively end Brazil’s participation in Beijing 2008.
The match was over as a contest and the normally calm persona of Brazil unravelled.
Lucas and Thiago Neves were both sent off for committing fouls on Mascherano.
For Argentina, it was an impeccable triumph against a rival that has had its way with ‘La Seleccion’ for a couple of years.
That aura though is now washing away.
Argentina will head now head to Beijing to face Nigeria – an opponent who defeated the South Americans in Atlanta 1996 for the gold medal.
It’s time for Batista’s men to defend what is rightfully theirs.
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Alan Nicolea
Guest
Jimbo Australia does not have to compete with billionaries to succeed. What Gus imployed to the side should have stuck with the rest of the players. Argentina and Brazil do not have flash ecomomies yet they are among the best teams in the world. Being physical will keep you in matches but it will not win them for you. Australia will not get a world cup just because they lost 3-2 to Brazil in a close contest. Australia has to BEAT these teams if they are to be successful. regardless of what Pim Verbeek does, if the Socceroos want to be present in 2010, they must beat Uzbekistan. There should be no excuses. If they fail, maybe 2006 was........
jimbo
Guest
Alan, agree there are times that Australia could play more attractive football. We would be a better team if Guus was still manager but . . . we can't compete with Russian billionaires who have seduced Guus and gazumped us on Advocaat. Playing good technical football is rewarded and direct physical play doesn't always win out - that's why Tonga didn't win the last football world cup. Sometimes playing passing football against a well organised man marking opponent is not the best tactic and you need to look at other avenues. Pimbo will probably use the beanpole Jesus as the lone striker against the Uzbeks. The midfielders will more often than not pump the ball up to him hoping he can get a head to it and put one or two in the net or lay it off for Kewell or Bresch to shoot. Don’t agree entirely with the tactics but might work and we might win.
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Jimbo In terms of popularity, australian football is doing well. In terms of the way the country itself plays the game, it is still not up to the standard necessary to win a world cup or achieve anything else for that matter. Why do you think football is the world game? any nation, no matter how weak, can compete and draw upon luck to seize their passage to a world cup or any other success. the 2002 world cup is a prime example. Senegal make the quarter finals but failed to qualify for 2006. The Korean team failed to progress beyond the group stage in 2006 despite making the semifinals in 2002. Greece win Euro 2004 but fail to qualify for 2006. In football, the better teams that play the better football do not necessarily get the cash. In Rugby Union and Basketball, none of this exists. If you are not on your game, the opposition will destroy you. If this fails to convince you, look at what happened at the Asian cup. P.S Uruguay beat themselves. If they took their opportunites, We would not be having this conversation
jimbo
Guest
Looking forward to the final against Nigeria, should be a great game after what we saw in the semis. Live on FTA - SBS at 2pm Saturday afternoon if you didn't know. Les Murray was saying on SBS last night that the football has again been the most successful and profitable sport at the games with nearly 2 million spectators at the games, and over 2.5 billion TV viewers. Alan, Australia is not failing as a football nation, quite the opposite. Its pulling well above its weight in football as it does in most sports. Given the political, commercial and cultural forces that have tried to destroy it over the last 50 years, the geographic isolation, the dispersion of our best players around the globe and the lack of funding, I think Australian football is a true survivor and will only get better, irrespective of how many people get along to an A-League game. Countries like Indonesia - where football is the number 1 sport, they have nearly 10 times our population but have never even gone close to qualifying for a World Cup. We beat Uruguay - a country that has won the WC twice - to get to the last WC and performed very well against countries that are professional football nations and spend ten times more money than we do on football. What criteria do you use to judge Australia as a failure in football?
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Pippinu That's why Australia fails as a football nation. Why do you think the Boomers in Basketball have an American coach?
Pippinu
Roar Guru
I can't believe we haven't made any use of Batistuta in any capacity either. Then again, look how easily we let Neeskens walk away. Legends of the game, those who have been there and done that, don't exactly grow on trees - shunning such names is indeed mystifying.
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Midfielder Batistuta was a great player. It was a shame to see him go under such shocking circumstances when Argentina were knocked out in the 2002 World Cup. I thought the Queensland Roar were linked with Batistuta in some way or form but that looks to have now fallen over. He does have a desire though to one day coach 'La Seleccion' or any argentine clasura team. Only time will tell.
Midfielder
Guest
Argentina always great to watch ............ very sadly the FFA have Gabriel Batistuta living in Perth IMO the best striker I have ever seen ......... and IMO someone who name could unlock any door in world football and he is not involved and wants to be. One of the few errors Obie One has made .............. I Sigh .......... what a player and from all reports a nice guy to boot.
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Pippinu You can say what you say, but Argentina are the most talented football nation in the world. Sure, their senior team has disappointed in recent years but their young brigade always seem to succed whether it be in the under 20 World Cup or the Olympics. Based on the way they play the game, Argentina deserve to defend their gold medal. This current side will form the basis of Argentina's world cup assault in 2010. In the end, Argentina's 'omnipotent' presence proved too strong against Brazil.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
In concluding with: "It’s time for Batista’s men to defend what is rightfully theirs."; do you mean as reigning Olympic champion, or are you alluding to some other entitlement, perhaps granted by a mysterious omnipotent presence?