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Round-up of the 2011 Copa America: 10 statistics & honours that have made history
From the award winners to the flops, from the group stages to the final, here is a roundup of the 2011 Copa America.
The 2011 Copa America showcased different things: the emergence of smaller teams in the CONMEBOL zone, the problems of giants like Argentina and Brazil and more.
Taking advantage of the situation, Uruguay went on to claim the title in style—ousting host Argentina on the way and stunning Paraguay with an emphatic 3-0 victory in the final.
In one of the competition’s highlights, Venezuela recorded their best ever finish but Peru got the last word in the third-place final by denying La Vinotinto bronze medals. Below are 10 things you should know following the end of the 2011 Copa America:
Guerrero’s hat-trick gives Peru bronze with 4-1 triumph over Venezuela
Peru have left Venezuela empty-handed as a Guerrero hat-trick punished La Vinotinto in Saturday’s 2011 Copa America third-place final.
Chiroque opened the score line 3 minutes before half-time to give Peru the lead. Paolo Guerrero doubled his team’s advantage with a goal as well. But when Arango found the net for Venezuela in the 78th minute of the match, it seemed like the game was far from being settled.However, Paolo Guerrero had other ideas. The Peruvian striker scored two more goals in quick succession during the very last moments of the match to break the hearts of the Venezuelans.
With this hat-trick, Paolo Guerrero looks favorite to win the 2011 Copa America’s top scorer award. Following Peru’s feat, the striker told ESPN:
2011 Copa America: South American Minnows Are Ready To Shed The Underdog Tag
Venezuela, Peru, Paraguay and Uruguay give Copa America semi-finals an odd look
Is this the beginning of a new era in the history of American football? It looked like Argentina and Brazil were about to take off after a superb performance in the last game of the group stage, but the candidates could not live up to the expectations and faced elimination after 120 minutes of football.Who could have expected Colombia and Chile -the best teams in the first stage- eliminated by allegedly weak rivals as Venezuela and Peru? I don't think the outcome of the quarter-finals is beyond all logic. The last four survivors won their game tactically, and turned from underdogs into candidates.
They must now keep their form to capitalize their effort with the American title. It won't be easy for Venezuela, the less experienced team of the competition (the other three contenders have already lifted the American title at least twice).
I believe the determination they've shown in the first four games, and the experience they've gained from such tough games, is likely to take them to the grand finale.
2011 Copa America: Strengths and Weaknesses Of The Eight Survivors
It's been over a year and a half since Argentina and Uruguay met each other on the pitch. The winner takes all at this Clasico Rioplatense
South American powerhouses reacted on time for the last game of the group stage and secured their place among America's fittest eight.Despite their overwhelming attack, Mano Menezes' Canarinha granted far too much space to their rival in the box. Alexandre Pato believes "A new Copa America starts now", but I think the Brazilians have a lot of work to do if they're meant to reach the finals.
I don't think there's any doubt Sergio Aguero should be part of Argentina's starting eleven for the derby against Uruguay. I believe Sergio Batista managed to build a new identity in the last game while sticking to the same scheme, with Fernando Gago and Angel Di Maria controlling the flow of the ball and Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain as alternatives to Lionel Messi in the attack.
Barcelona's star played his best game with La Albiceleste this year as the main engine of the attack, unlike his fellow Blaugrana partner Gabriel Milito, who has not yet been able to recover his form. Having played only 10 games for Barcelona this season, Milito is not the only weakness in the Argentinian defense.
The Brazilians may have avoided Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia at least until the final game, but will the confidence they've gained against Ecuador be enough to help them against Paraguay? Let's not forget Los Guaranies were one minute away from defeating Brazil in the second game, if it wasn't for Fred's equalizer on injury time.
2011 Copa America: Argentina's Awakening Feeds Uruguay's Qualifying Dreams
La Celeste depends on a victory to reach the knockouts. Mexico does not want to be sent back home in shame after two consecutive defeats.
The third game of the group stage offers Chile and Peru (already qualified with four points) a perfect opportunity to try different alternatives in their formation while at the same time cleaning their discipline record.Matias Fernandez and Alexis Sanchez have been the back bone of Claudio Borghi's successful scheme in the last games, building strong attacks thanks to Mauricio Isla's and Arturo Vidal's security in the midfield.
Sanchez and Vidal won't be part of the starting eleven, for they've already been booked once and another yellow card could compromise their presence in the next game. Is Chile a serious contender without WonderBoy?
Peruvian coach Sergio Markarian is likely to follow Borghi's example and give Paolo Guerrero and Juan Vargas a day-off, as their presence will be mandatory for Peru if they are to reach the semi-finals. Do you think Peru can survive the American fight without their two brightest stars?
2011 Copa America: Colombia, Chile, Venezuela and Peru Reach The Quarter-Finals
Colombia advance to the knockouts topping their group, and set a four-point requirement for the next stage
Colombia reaches the second stage with seven points, and leaves Argentina and Costa Rica struggling to secure the last remaining place for the quarter-finals. The winner takes all this Monday in Cordoba.Who could have expected Venezuela as Group B leader? Even if Brazil and Paraguay end up as leaders with five points, the Venezuelan squad has enough points to secure qualification.
Remember that not only the teams finishing first and second in each group advance to the quarter-finals, but also the two best-placed thirds. Anything but a victory leaves Argentina as the worst-placed third, with three points.
Considering Costa Rica lost their opening game, another defeat leaves them with three points. Four points gives automatic qualification at this point, a requirement none of the three alleged candidates (Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay) have met so far.