By Habeeb Akinfegbe
It was indeed the last game, if the competition were to end right now Argentina would have been deservedly crowned as champions as no team in the group stage possess similar form as the Argentines. Argentina maintained their 100 percent start to the Copa America Centenario with an easy win over Bolivia, as holders Chile booked their place in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Argentina already assured of a quarterfinal berth after wins over Chile and Panama, wrapped up their Group D campaign with one-sided win at Seattle's CenturyLink Field. The victory sees Argentina reach the last eight as group winners, handing them what in theory should be a straightforward assignment against Venezuela in Foxborough on Saturday. The two-time world champions are determined to end a 23-year wait for a major title after suffering agonising defeats in the finals of the 2014 World Cup and last year's Copa America. Argentina coach Gerardo Martino elected to rest captain Lionel Messi after his devastating hat-trick performance against Panama.
But the Argentines were still far too strong for a feeble Bolivian team who were overwhelmed in a devastating opening period. The match was effectively settled within the first quarter of an hour, with Tottenham Hotspur winger Erik Lamela opening the scoring with a deflected free-kick in the 13th minute. Two minutes later China-based forward Ezequiel Lavezzi marked his comeback from injury with a goal, volleying home from close range after Gonzalo Higuain's downward header.
Central defender Victor Cuesta made it 3-0 just after the half-hour, diverting home Lavezzi's low cross in the 32nd minute. With Messi coming on as a substitute at halftime, the game became a question of when or if the Barcelona superstar could grab a 54th international goal to equal Gabriel Batistuta's longstanding scoring record.
Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas both scored twice as Chile advanced with a 4-2 victory over Panama. Chile recovered from the shock of falling behind to a Miguel Camargo goal after only five minutes, with Vargas scoring twice before Arsenal's Sanchez grabbed a third in the Group D game.
Sanchez added his second in the 89th minute to complete the scoring. Chile will now face Mexico in the pick of the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Sequel to the historical elimination of Brazil, they have parted company with coach Dunga after the five-time FIFA World Cup™ winners exited the Copa America Centenario at group stage, the first time they have been eliminated that early in almost 30 years. The 1-0 defeat to Peru brought to an end a near-two-year stint in charge of A Seleção, the USA 1994 winner's second spell in the dugout after leading his nation from 2006-10. Team coordinator Gilmar Rinaldi and the rest of the coaching staff have also been dismissed. Brazil currently sit sixth in South American qualifying for Russia 2018, outside of the four automatic spot and fifth play-off position, having won just twice in six games, drawing their latest two games 2-2 with Uruguay and Paraguay. "The Brazilian Football Confederation have announced that it will be dissolving the technical committee of the Brazilian national team," an official statement read. "The team's coordinator, Gilmar Rinaldi, coach Dunga and his entire team will leave their positions. "Now, the CBF starts the process of choosing the new technical committee of the Brazilian national team. The CBF gives thanks for the dedication, the seriousness and commitment of the staff while performing their work." Their next qualifying match comes against second-place Ecuador on 1 September in Quito.
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Email: bizarrecommunications@gmail.com
It was indeed the last game, if the competition were to end right now Argentina would have been deservedly crowned as champions as no team in the group stage possess similar form as the Argentines. Argentina maintained their 100 percent start to the Copa America Centenario with an easy win over Bolivia, as holders Chile booked their place in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Argentina already assured of a quarterfinal berth after wins over Chile and Panama, wrapped up their Group D campaign with one-sided win at Seattle's CenturyLink Field. The victory sees Argentina reach the last eight as group winners, handing them what in theory should be a straightforward assignment against Venezuela in Foxborough on Saturday. The two-time world champions are determined to end a 23-year wait for a major title after suffering agonising defeats in the finals of the 2014 World Cup and last year's Copa America. Argentina coach Gerardo Martino elected to rest captain Lionel Messi after his devastating hat-trick performance against Panama.
But the Argentines were still far too strong for a feeble Bolivian team who were overwhelmed in a devastating opening period. The match was effectively settled within the first quarter of an hour, with Tottenham Hotspur winger Erik Lamela opening the scoring with a deflected free-kick in the 13th minute. Two minutes later China-based forward Ezequiel Lavezzi marked his comeback from injury with a goal, volleying home from close range after Gonzalo Higuain's downward header.
Central defender Victor Cuesta made it 3-0 just after the half-hour, diverting home Lavezzi's low cross in the 32nd minute. With Messi coming on as a substitute at halftime, the game became a question of when or if the Barcelona superstar could grab a 54th international goal to equal Gabriel Batistuta's longstanding scoring record.
Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas both scored twice as Chile advanced with a 4-2 victory over Panama. Chile recovered from the shock of falling behind to a Miguel Camargo goal after only five minutes, with Vargas scoring twice before Arsenal's Sanchez grabbed a third in the Group D game.
Sanchez added his second in the 89th minute to complete the scoring. Chile will now face Mexico in the pick of the quarterfinals on Saturday.
The Quarter-finals
|
16 June 2016
21:30 |
United States  |
Match 25 |  Ecuador |
|---|---|---|
|
CenturyLink Field, Seattle
Referee: Wilmar Roldán (Colombia) |
18 June 2016 Mexico  |
Match 28 |  Chile |
|---|---|---|
Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara
Sequel to the historical elimination of Brazil, they have parted company with coach Dunga after the five-time FIFA World Cup™ winners exited the Copa America Centenario at group stage, the first time they have been eliminated that early in almost 30 years. The 1-0 defeat to Peru brought to an end a near-two-year stint in charge of A Seleção, the USA 1994 winner's second spell in the dugout after leading his nation from 2006-10. Team coordinator Gilmar Rinaldi and the rest of the coaching staff have also been dismissed. Brazil currently sit sixth in South American qualifying for Russia 2018, outside of the four automatic spot and fifth play-off position, having won just twice in six games, drawing their latest two games 2-2 with Uruguay and Paraguay. "The Brazilian Football Confederation have announced that it will be dissolving the technical committee of the Brazilian national team," an official statement read. "The team's coordinator, Gilmar Rinaldi, coach Dunga and his entire team will leave their positions. "Now, the CBF starts the process of choosing the new technical committee of the Brazilian national team. The CBF gives thanks for the dedication, the seriousness and commitment of the staff while performing their work." Their next qualifying match comes against second-place Ecuador on 1 September in Quito.
FOLLOW US
Twitter: @bizarre_comms
Facebook: Bizarre Communications
Email: bizarrecommunications@gmail.com
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