Brazil routed Argentina 3-0 in last year’s Copa America but it was Argentina’s turn this time and they did it in style.
Sergio Aguero who hadn’t been heard from much so far this tournament, scored two second-half goals in seven minutes. His first goal in the 52nd minute was reminiscent of Maradona’s “hand of god” goal. I’m sure this will be highly debated by Brazilian fans, but to pointless abandon. Aguero’s second goal came seven minutes later from a 2 yard kick and to put the nail on the coffin, he also set up a 76th-minute penalty kick that was awarded to Argentina after a foul on him.
But it was Lionel Messi who stole the show. He created many scoring opportunities and set-up two of the goals.
Brazil looked a little disoriented throughout the match and lost two players at the end because of red cards. It didn’t help either the fact that Brazil’s star Ronaldhino wasn’t really a factor in the match. Pato came on the field as a substitute, but his goal was disallowed because of offside.
Argentina will once again face Nigeria in the final, a rematch of the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta.
Argentina:Romero, Garay, Monzon, Zabaleta, Pareja, Gago, Riquelme, Di Maria, Mascherano, Messi, Aguero
Brazil: Renan, Rafinha, Silva, Marcelo, Breno, Hernanes, Anderson, Leiva, Ronaldhino, Diego, Sobis
Nigeria ran over Belgium 4-1 in the other semi-final match at Shanghai’s International Stadium. The 1996 Olympic champions reached the finals for the first time in 12 years.
Nigeria opened the score in the 17th minute by Adefemi who stroked a deflected ball in from 12 yards. Then striker Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi scored twice in the second half and Chibuzor Okonkwo added the final goal in the 78th minute.
Belgium kept pace with the Nigerians in the first hour or so but fell apart at the end. The seventy-fifth minute substitute Laurent Ciman scored the lonely goal for Belgium.
The surprise of the tournament will meet with Brazil for the bronze medal match.
Nigeria: Vanzekin, Okonkwo, Apam, Adeleye, Olubayo, Kaita, Ajilore, Obasi Ogbuke, Obinna, Okoronkwo, Odemwingie
Belgium: Bailly, De Roover, Pocognoli, Simaeys, Haroun, Vertonghen, Martens, Vanden Borre, De Mul, Mirallas, Dembele
