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copa america 2011


Uruguay cruise to Copa America win


Uruguay 3 Paraguay 0 Copa America final (Buenos Aires, Argentina 24 July 2011)
Diego Forlan scored twice as Uruguay outplayed Paraguay to lift the Copa America with a convincing 3-0 win in Buenos Aires. Paraguay were lucky not to have fallen behind as early as the 2nd minute when Villar saved brilliantly from Lugano's thumping header and Piri kept the ball out by handling the rebound without paying the penalty, but after 10 minutes of further pressure Suarez received the ball in the box, dragged it onto his left foot and put Uruguay ahead in off the far post. Forlan was foiled by Villar in the 33rd minute but 3 minutes before the break Arevalo robbed a Paraguayan defender and teed the ball up for Forlan to fire past Villar. After the interval Paraguay ventured briefly into their opponent's half and in the 54th minute Muslera tipped a sweet volley from Haeldo Valdez onto the bar, but Villar who was the busier of the 2 keepers made another excellent save to keep Eguren's deflected shot out in the 74th minute. Paraguay looking for a late consolation goal allowed Uruguay to launch a swift counter-attack with Cavani finding Suarez who headed the ball into the path of Diego Forlan to slot past Villar and put the icing on the cake.

diego forlan
Diego Forlan seals Copa America victory for Uruguay



Group A
After being held to a 1-1 draw by Bolivia, hosts and favourites Argentina, played a goalless match against Colombia and were unsure of their progress until a 3-0 win over an under 22 Costa Rica side sent them through behind the Colombians who defeated 9 man Bolivia 2-0 on the same day.
Group B
Brazil opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Venezuela and needed a last minute goal from Fred to salvage a 2-2 draw against Paraguay but topped the group after 2 goals apiece from Pato and Neymar gave them a 4-2 win over bottom team Ecuador. Venezuela scored twice just before the final whistle to earn a 3-3 draw with Paraguay and claim 2nd spot ahead of the Paraguayans who also made it through as one of the best 3rd teams.
Group C
With the Mexican under 22 side losing all their matches narrowly and Uruguay drawing 1-1 against both Peru and Chile, the deciding result was Chile's 1-0 victory over Peru that sent the victors to the top and saw Uruguay and Peru follow them into the next round.
Quarter-finals
Peru got the better of Colombia with 2 goals in extra time and hosts Argentina were eliminated after losing to Uruguay on penalties. A goalless match and poor penalties from Brazil saw the South American giants bow out to Paraguay with both teams having a player sent off in extra time, while Venezuela made history by reaching the semi-finals after a 2-1 win over Chile with both teams reduced to 10 men.
Semi-finals
Luis Suarez proved too potent for Peru as his double took Uruguay to the final while the Venezuelan heroes held Paraguay to a goalless draw but came unstuck on penalties.
Third place
Paolo Guerrero netted a hat-trick to win himself the Golden Boot and Peru the bronze with a 4-1 win over Venezuela.

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