Copa América

[eRicKz]

wah, this copa america till now, all eat win like hell.. haha.. wish all bros gd 6.. huat arh..

[machoman]

Originally Posted by eRicKz

wah, this copa america till now, all eat win like hell.. haha.. wish all bros gd 6.. huat arh..

Yup, another goalless draw this morning between Argentina & Colombia.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia
7 July Group A : Bolivia vs Costa Rica
8 July Group C : Peru vs Mexico / Uruguay vs Chile
9 july Group B : Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A : Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A : Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C : Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B : Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Costa Rica Played1 Win0 Draw0 Lose1 GS0 GA1 GD-1 Pts0

Group B
Brazil Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Venezuela Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Paraguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Ecuador Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played1 Win1 Draw0 Lose0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Peru Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Uruguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Mexico Played1 Win0 Draw0 Lose1 GS1 GA2 GD-1 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Chile(Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[joew2005]

so far,Argentina has been veri disappointing in tis tournament.

after playing 2 games,Argentina only managed 2 collect 2 points fr 2 draws & only scored a single goal.
Not 4getting tat they r the current tournament's host country ... they r playing in their own backyard.

They r ranked 44 places above Colombia & 83 places above Bolivia in the latest FIFA rankings. Yet they could not get a win against both.

This tournament could realli belong 2 the Minnows .....
or perhaps the Minnows would become the "King Makers"!

[SP2010]

Really hope one of those unfancied teams can upset the odds & progress far .
It wud be interesting to see if Chile, Colombia or even Peru can give the big boys a run for their money.

[machoman]

Originally Posted by joew2005

so far,Argentina has been veri disappointing in tis tournament.

after playing 2 games,Argentina only managed 2 collect 2 points fr 2 draws & only scored a single goal.
Not 4getting tat they r the current tournament's host country ... they r playing in their own backyard.

They r ranked 44 places above Colombia & 83 places above Bolivia in the latest FIFA rankings. Yet they could not get a win against both.

This tournament could realli belong 2 the Minnows .....
or perhaps the Minnows would become the "King Makers"!

Absolutely agreed about Argentina, bro joew2005.

I sense that the format of the tournament in which 8 of the 12 teams participating will get through to the knock-out round means that they do not have to try too hard in order to proceed to the next round is a major factor for the low scores & draws.

Latest update: another upset this morning as Costa Rica beat 10-men Bolivia by 2 goals.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia / Bolivia 0-2 Costa Rica
8 July Group C : Peru vs Mexico / Uruguay vs Chile
9 july Group B : Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A : Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A : Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C : Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B : Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Costa Rica Played2 Win1 Draw0 Lose1 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts1

Group B
Brazil Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Venezuela Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Paraguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Ecuador Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played1 Win1 Draw0 Lose0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Peru Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Uruguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Mexico Played1 Win0 Draw0 Lose1 GS1 GA2 GD-1 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Chile(Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia / Bolivia 0-2 Costa Rica
Group C : Peru vs Mexico / Uruguay 1-1 Chile
9 july Group B : Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A : Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A : Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C : Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B : Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Costa Rica Played2 Win1 Draw0 Lose1 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts1

Group B
Brazil Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Venezuela Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Paraguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Ecuador Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts4
Uruguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Peru Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Mexico Played1 Win0 Draw0 Lose1 GS1 GA2 GD-1 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez & Álvaro Pereira)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia / Bolivia 0-2 Costa Rica
Group C : Peru 1-0 Mexico / Uruguay 1-1 Chile
9 july Group B : Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A : Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A : Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C : Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B : Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Costa Rica Played2 Win1 Draw0 Lose1 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts1

Group B
Brazil Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Venezuela Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Paraguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Ecuador Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts4
Peru Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts4
Uruguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Mexico Played2 Win0 Draw0 Lose2 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez & Álvaro Pereira)

2 goals -
Peru(José Guerrero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[vader8847]

Another Flop from World Cup No 4: Uruguay 1-1 Chile..

Can't even beat Chile..

The star players from Big Guns in Copa America teams seemed in "Holiday mood".

Maybe the players are too tired...especially those players in the Europe Leagues.

Now..It's Brazil Turn. Can they do wonder to win against Paraguay..

Or Another "Draw" again.

Good Offer from Spool.

Draw Odds: S$ 3.45

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Costa Rica Played2 Win1 Draw0 Lose1 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts1

10 July:Colombia vs Bolivia / 11 July:Argentina vs Costa Rica

Colombia will advance 2 the QF if they defeat or draw with Bolivia or if they lose by only 1 goal.
Costa Rica will advance 2 the QF if they do not lose 2 Argentina.
Argentina will advance 2 the QF if they defeat Costa Rica.
Bolivia will advance 2 the QF if they defeat Colombia by 2+ goals.
Bolivia will be eliminated if they lose 2 Colombia.


Group B
Brazil Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Venezuela Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Paraguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Ecuador Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1

9 July Group B:Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
13 July Group B:Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador


Group C
Chile Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts4
Peru Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts4
Uruguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Mexico Played2 Win0 Draw0 Lose2 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts0

12 July:Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
Chile will advance 2 the QF if they do not lose 2 Peru, if they lose 2 Peru & Uruguay do not beat Mexico, or if Colombia ties or beats Bolivia.
Peru will advance 2 the QF if they do not lose 2 Chile, if they lose 2 Chile & Uruguay do not beat Mexico, or if Colombia ties or beats Bolivia.
Uruguay will advance 2 the QF if they defeat Mexico.
Uruguay will be eliminated if they lose 2 Mexico.
Mexico will be eliminated unless they defeat Uruguay.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia / Bolivia 0-2 Costa Rica
Group C : Peru 1-0 Mexico / Uruguay 1-1 Chile
Group B : Brazil 2-2 Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A : Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A : Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C : Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B : Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Costa Rica Played2 Win1 Draw0 Lose1 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts1

Group B
Brazil Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Paraguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Venezuela Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Ecuador Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts4
Peru Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts4
Uruguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Mexico Played2 Win0 Draw0 Lose2 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz & Nelson Haedo Valdez)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez & Álvaro Pereira)

2 goals -
Peru(José Guerrero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia / Bolivia 0-2 Costa Rica
Group C : Peru 1-0 Mexico / Uruguay 1-1 Chile
Group B : Brazil 2-2 Paraguay / Venezuela 1-0 Ecuador
10 July Group A : Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A : Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C : Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B : Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Costa Rica Played2 Win1 Draw0 Lose1 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts1

Group B
Venezuela Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Brazil Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Paraguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Ecuador Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS0 GA1 GD-1 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts4
Peru Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts4
Uruguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Mexico Played2 Win0 Draw0 Lose2 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz & Nelson Haedo Valdez)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez & Álvaro Pereira)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González)

2 goals -
Peru(José Guerrero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Costa Rica Played2 Win1 Draw0 Lose1 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts1

When Colombia take on Bolivia 2nite(3am sg time),they jz need a draw 2 confirm their place in the QF(@ least a best 3rd placed).
Bolivia die-die hv 2 win against Colombia,& hope that the result of the other remaining group match go their way. A win for Bolivia could also cement their place in the QF as 1 of the best 3rd placed.

The other remaining Group A betwe Argentina & Costa Rica shall be played on Tues morning (0845am sg time).
Argentina die-die hv 2 get a win 2 grab that QF berth.
A draw could be good enough 4 Costa Rica 2 go thru 2 the QF.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...merica?cc=4716

Unexpected twists
July 10, 2011

It wasn't supposed 2 be tis way. Every1's now played 2 matches in the 2011 Copa América, & still none of the 3 pre-tournament favs, Brazil, Argentina & Uruguay, has managed 2 win.

All r third in their groups, with 2 draws. Brazil only even hv tat record thanks 2 a late equaliser in their Saturday match against Paraguay in Córdoba. And top of Brazil's group r the side who as recently as the last Copa América - albeit less & less during the last WC qualifying campaign tat followed - were described as the continent's eternal whipping boys.

The old order is being riotously overturned so far in tis Copa América, & whilst the goals hv sometimes been lacking, they seem 2 be starting 2 arrive now: the only team yet 2 score r Ecuador, & Brazil's 2-2 draw with Paraguay was perhaps the most thrilling match of the competition so far. The intrigue as we approach the last set of group fixtures is as strong as ever.

1 thing tat was easy 2 predict b4 the tournament, & which has come 2 pass, @ least, is tat the Group C match in Mendoza betw Uruguay & Chile was 1 of the most closely-fought affairs so far in the tournament, with Uruguay looking hugely improved fr a very patchy opening showing against Peru, while Chile continued 2 impress going 4ward. A 1-1 draw leaves Chile on the brink of qualification on 4 points - the same total Peru hv following their own decent 1-0 win over Mexico.

Saturday's Group B games improbably ended with Venezuela topping the group with 4 points, ahead of Paraguay & Brazil both on 2, & Ecuador on 1. Venezuela's game against Ecuador wasn't as much of an end-2-end thriller as Brazil's with Paraguay had been slightly earlier but it was settled with a goal worthy of winning any game, smashed in from 30 yards by César González, who plays his football here in Argentina 4 recently-relegated Gimnasia. He hit it so hard Ecuadorian goalkeeper Marcelo Elizaga didn't even hv time 2 dive 4 it.

Venezuela ended the day overjoyed, then, but the defending champions were in a mixed mood aft their late equaliser. Brazil manager Mano Menezes told the press conference tat "it would hv been very cruel if we'd left the pitch with a defeat", which was an interesting interpretation of a match in which Paraguay, although they had less of the ball & slightly fewer shots, looked almost visibly annoyed @ not having got the win. Paraguay hadn't come fr behind 2 beat Brazil since 1949, & tat stretch was extended by Fred's 89th-minute goal.

If the Brazilian press might start losing patience with Menezes b4 long, then 1 man who's certainly not going 2 be popular in his homeland on Sunday morning in Daniel Alves. The Barcelona full back was directly @ fault 4 Paraguay's 2nd goal, & admitted as much. "I've asked my team-mates' forgiveness," he said.

He's not the only Barcelona player enduring a frustrating tournament so far, of course. Argentina's 0-0 draw with Colombia on Thursday was almost painful 2 watch 4 fans of the hosts, & Lionel Messi 1s again looked lost without team-mates who understood how 2 play with him properly (1s again, he's the 1 who's had most of the blame 4 tat here). Whilst Brazil will be looking 2 make changes in training in the coming days, Argentina hv already started.

Manager Sergio Batista seems 2 hv taken on board - albeit a little late - the clamour 2 provide more of a link betw his midfield & attack, & will dump his 4-3-3, which may as well hv been a 4-3-1, for all the interest Carlos Tevez & Ezequiel Lavezzi were showing in their roles. Esteban Cambiasso will drop 2 the bench & some tweaks will be made which r expected 2 see Argentina line up on Monday against Costa Rica in their must-win last group game in a 4-2-1-3.

Messi will be the '1' in tat formation, behind a front 3 of Tevez, Ángel Di María & - @ last - a player who resembles a target man, Gonzalo Higuaín. Javier Mascherano & Ever Banega will retain their places in the midfield. It's not quite wat most would like 2 see, & I suspect plenty of others would drop Di María, push Messi further up & hv Javier Pastore in tat playmaker's role. All the same, it's a formation tat should give the attack more focus, esp if Higuaín is told 2 stick somewhere near his starting, centre 4ward, position.

Whatever happens, it doesn't look like the surprises r over in tis Copa. The entire draw, 4 starters, is worked out on the assumption - never an unreasonable 1 until tis year - tat Brazil & Argentina will top their groups. In such an event, they're invariably kept apart until the final. But tis time round, although both sides still can, it's looking unlikely tat both will. If Colombia beat Bolivia on Sunday, in fact, it will be impossible 4 Argentina 2 finish top of Group A. Even a draw 4 Colombia would leave Argentina needing a minimum 2-goal win 2 top the group.

The fact tat there's only 1 match on Sunday is another way in which the competition is nudged in favour of the hosts: Argentina will of course know wat they need 2 do 2 finish in which position by the time they finish their group campaign against Costa Rica on Monday. Likewise, Brazil's match with Ecuador will be just aft Paraguay & Venezuela finish up.

No-1's yet qualified, then, & no-1's been eliminated yet thanks 2 the fact that 2 of the 3 3rd-placed sides will progress. Venezuela, Colombia, Chile & Peru r all already on 4 points, & all will be hopeful of making the last 8. But 4 every1 involved, although the quarter-finals r 6 days away, the knockout stages effectively begin now.