By Associated Press, 7/25/2004 20:51
LIMA, Peru (AP) Even without most of its top players, Brazil won its first South American soccer championship since 1999.
Adriano scored the tying goal three minutes into second-half injury time, and the World Cup champions beat Argentina 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 2-2 tie Sunday in the final of the Copa America.
''We never thought it would be easy,'' Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said. ''Argentina came with all these experienced players, but our team proved they are capable of overcoming any difficulties.''
While both nations were missing many regular starters, given the tournament off following long European club seasons and tough World Cup qualifiers, Brazil brought along almost no veterans.
Cristian Gonzalez converted a penalty kick in the 20th minute after Luisao brought down Luis Gonzalez in the penalty area, but Luisao tied the score when he headed in Alex's free kick one minute into first-half injury time.
Argentina, seeking its first title since 1993, took a 2-1 lead with in the 88th minute on Cesar Delgado's goal. Adriano then tied it with his tournament-high seventh goal.
''I can't explain how I'm feeling right now,'' Adriano said. ''This is definitely the greatest moment in my career.''
There was a brawl between the teams at the end of regulation, with Argentina players unhappy with taunts from Brazil's bench. Referee Carlos Amarilla of Paraguay requested riot police to separate the sides.
''They shouldn't have celebrated ahead of time,'' Parreira said.
The sides immediately went to the shootout without overtime, and Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar dived to his right to block Argentina's opening shot. Gabriel Heinze then put Argentina's second shot over the crossbar.
Adriano, Edu, Diego and Juan converted penalty kicks for Brazil, which has won three of the last four titles and seven overall. Cristian Gonzalez and Juan Pablo Sorin converted penalty kicks for Argentina.
''We keep asking ourselves what we could have done differently to have avoided this kind of result,'' Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa said. ''Argentina always pressured and sought ways to win just as it did through the tourney. Unfortunately, what happened is what happened.''
LIMA, Peru (AP) Even without most of its top players, Brazil won its first South American soccer championship since 1999.
Adriano scored the tying goal three minutes into second-half injury time, and the World Cup champions beat Argentina 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 2-2 tie Sunday in the final of the Copa America.
''We never thought it would be easy,'' Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said. ''Argentina came with all these experienced players, but our team proved they are capable of overcoming any difficulties.''
While both nations were missing many regular starters, given the tournament off following long European club seasons and tough World Cup qualifiers, Brazil brought along almost no veterans.
Cristian Gonzalez converted a penalty kick in the 20th minute after Luisao brought down Luis Gonzalez in the penalty area, but Luisao tied the score when he headed in Alex's free kick one minute into first-half injury time.
Argentina, seeking its first title since 1993, took a 2-1 lead with in the 88th minute on Cesar Delgado's goal. Adriano then tied it with his tournament-high seventh goal.
''I can't explain how I'm feeling right now,'' Adriano said. ''This is definitely the greatest moment in my career.''
There was a brawl between the teams at the end of regulation, with Argentina players unhappy with taunts from Brazil's bench. Referee Carlos Amarilla of Paraguay requested riot police to separate the sides.
''They shouldn't have celebrated ahead of time,'' Parreira said.
The sides immediately went to the shootout without overtime, and Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar dived to his right to block Argentina's opening shot. Gabriel Heinze then put Argentina's second shot over the crossbar.
Adriano, Edu, Diego and Juan converted penalty kicks for Brazil, which has won three of the last four titles and seven overall. Cristian Gonzalez and Juan Pablo Sorin converted penalty kicks for Argentina.
''We keep asking ourselves what we could have done differently to have avoided this kind of result,'' Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa said. ''Argentina always pressured and sought ways to win just as it did through the tourney. Unfortunately, what happened is what happened.''
