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Tommorrow is the final of the Copa America – the South American football championship, the oldest continental championship in football.
The final of the 42nd championship is between Uruguay and Paraguay. The two pre-tournament favourites, Argentina and Brazil, were both eliminated at the quarter final stage, in penalty shootouts, against the two finalists.
Interestingly, if Uruguay win, they will actually become the most succesful team in Copa America history. They currently share that title of 14 wins each with Argentina. Brazil has eight titles, Paraguay and Peru two titles each, and Colombia and Bolivia have both won once.
The tournament has been noted for the number of draws, with eight draws in the group stage, and neither Argentina or Brazil managing to win until their third and final group games.
Two of the quarter finals and one semi final were also decided on penalties after ending in draws after extra-time.
This has led to the strange situation where Paraguay has reached the final of the Copa America without actually “winning” a game in regulation or extra-time. This is the first time a team has reached the final of a major international club or national team cup without winning a game.
Paraguay drew all three of their group games (although to be fair, they were beating both Brazil and Venezuela comfortably, until Brazil drew with an 89th minute goal and Venezuela drew with 89 and 92nd minute goals).
Paraguay then drew with Brazil in a quarter final, to win on penalties 2-0, and drew with Venezuela to win on penalties 5-3.
I am an Aussie living in Paraguay, and the Argentinian, Venezuelan, and Brazillian press, and coaches, are livid. Complaining that a team that “hasnt won a game” has reached the final. There have also been complaints about Paraguay´s lack of attacking football.
It is true that during the quarter final against Brazil Paraguay did not manage a shot on goal that troubled the Brazillian keeper, but, their defence was incredible. Against Venezuela, Paraguay dominated the first half in attack, Venezuela attacked more in the second half. After a Paraguayan player was red carded in extra time, Paraguay concentrated on defence. Again the Paraguayan goal keeper, Justo Villar, was incredible.
As an Argentina journalist commented yesterday, football is a game of attack and defence. It does take some skill not letting a team with the talent of Brazil score against you.
I also think that the comments about Paraguay “not having won a game” are incorrect. The rules of the Copa America state that in the knockout stages, if scores are equal at full-time, extra-time is played, and if scores are equal after that, the result is decided on penalties.
Paraguay has won two games, albeit on penalties. In contrast, Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina have all lost a game in the knockout phase.
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