Uruguay win Copa America

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Uruguay win Copa America

Suarez early opener and Diego Forlan’s double brought Uruguay the first Copa America trophy since 1995 when the World Cup semi finalists crashed Paraguay 3-0 on Sunday at the Monumental Antonio Liberti stadium.

Oscar Tabarez’s side had a much better start than their opponents as Suarez picked his first big occasion early in the second minute, but his powerful shot from inside the box was tipped away into the corner by keeper Villar. Two minutes later Piris touched the ball with the arm but the referee let the game move on. A great shaped Liverpool striker Suarez got his second big chance of the match in the ninth minute when the youngster tried a slalom between the Praguay defence only to be denied by Vera who cleared the air.

Anyway, the first goal was just a matter of time for the World Cup revelations as the same Reds forwarder broke the ice in the 13^th minute. Suarez was picked inside the box to put it home into the far post through a defender’s legs and past the keeper. Paraguay’s first reply came in the 16^th minute through Valdez who failed to bring the leveler after a great action set by Riveros which saw the striker fire it just over.

Adrian Coria’s side were the first to concede a yellow card. Caceres was booked for a late tackle on Suarez. Uruguay saw their first two yellows in the 23^rd and 24 the minute respectively. Perez took down Da Silva, while Caceres conceded his first one for another tough challenge on Vera. Villar made a tremendous save in the 33^rd minute when the Paraguay keeper stopped Forlan’s first big attempt to keep his side in cards for the leveler.

Suarez directed yet another crucial action in the 35^th minute when the striker hit a ball as far as the side netting. Liverpool’s cornerstone then fed veteran Forlan who thundered a strike just over the bar from 13 yards or so to his own dismay. Arevalo missed a sixth big chance for Uruguay, his shot going wide. Four minutes before the first whistle, Tabarez’s side doubled the lead through Forlan who. Arevalo beat the Paraguay defence to pick the veteran inside the box from where he smashed it home into the left handed post as Uruguay were 45 minutes from the big success.

The half time went 2-0 as Paraguay was far from threatening with the leveler. The first ten minutes of the second half brought Coria’s squad a big chance through Valdez who failed to beat Muslaro from range, the ball being deflected onto the bar by the Uruguayan keeper who managed to keep the sheet clean throughout the entire final. Meanwhile, frustration rose among the Paraguayans who conceded yet another yellow card in the 58^th minute when Vera was cautioned for a trip on Perez.

Muslera made another big save in the 61^st minute, holding Piris’ cross at the death. The first couple of changes came two minutes later as Edinson Cavani replaced Pereira for Uruguay, while Estigarribia and Perez replaced Cacerres and Riveros respectively for Paraguay. The 70^th minute brought Uruguay the second move when Eguren replaced Perez. Cavani’s presence was felt in the 73^rd minute when the striker played Forlan who missed the contact, the ball coming to the other newly-entered Eguren whose shot was deflected in what should have been a third goal for the favorites.

Zeballos was substituted by Lucas Barrios in the 76^th minute by coac Coria but that wouldn’t change a thing in Paraguay’s games. Their last efforts brought them another opportunity in the 81^st minute when Valdez beat his mark but not Muslera so Uruguay were less than ten minutes from a huge victory. Tabarez made a time wasting move in the 88^th minute when replaced Jose Caceres with Diego Godin.

Two minutes before the final whistle Forlan made things look clear as possible as the Atletico Madrid star completed his double with a tremendous shot past keeper Villar, following a great head deflection from Suarez. Uruguay won their first trophy after a 16-year drought.

Uruguay finished the group C second with five points thanks two a 1-0 win against Mexico and two draws against Peru and Chile. In the quarter finals they beat Argentina 5-4 on penalties, while the semi finals brought them a 2-0 win against the same Peru.

On the other side, Paraguay advanced into the final with no win. They finished the group B third with three points after drawing all Brazil, Venezuela and Ecuador, while the quarter finals brought them a 2-0 win over Brazil whom they defeated on penalty. Previous to the final they had ousted Venezuela 5-3 on penalties.

Said Uruguay coach: “To have won the Copa America has no bearing on the qualifiers, it’s no guarantee. This is very gratifying, very nice, but a qualifying series is something else because it’s not played at one venue, where presumably the only ones with an advantage are the home team.”

Uruguay – Muslera; Caceres, Coartes, Lugano, Pereira; Pereira, Gonzalez, Arevalo, Perez; Forlan, Suarez. Reserves: S. Abreu, N. Lodeiro, A. Hernandez, E. Cavani, S. Eguren, W. Gargano, D. Godin, A. Scotti, J. Castillo, C. Rodriguez.

Paraguay – Villar; Piris, da Silva, Veron, Marecos; Vera, Caceres, Ortigoza, Riveros; Valdez, Zeballos. Reserves: H. Perez, R. Fernandez, L. Barrios, M. Estigarribia, A. Alcaraz, M. Caceres, E. Barreto, D. Baretto, O. Martinez.

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