Brazil Not Ready to Relinquish the Throne
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by Nejoshi
Anyone doubting who owns the South American football scene was given a resounding reminder during the finals of the 2007 Copa America. That’s because Brazil sent challengers Argentina home with a comprehensive 3-0 beatdown to once again reclaim control of South American football supremacy.
Many believed the match-up of the two superpowers in South America would finally be the moment where Argentina passed by Brazil on the world scene. The once potent Brazilians actually seemed vulnerable, and ready to be pounced on. Many believed that the breathtaking combination of Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez would mark the changing of the guard.
The Brazilians have fallen on hard times ever since their record-breaking 5th World Cup title in 2002. It has been a slow, but steady fall from the top of the world and it really looked like we were about to witness the generation’s most dominant soccer nation hand the throne to a younger Argentinean squad that is only beginning to find its top gear.
It began during their defense of the World Cup when Brazil struggled throughout – as they usually do in Europe – before succumbing to a more inspired France team 1-0 in the Round of 16 of Germany 2006. Since then, the national team has struggled to find the elegant flair that made their triumphs in ’94 and ’02 look so easy.
Enter a disastrous 2-0 setback to Mexico in their initial game of the competition, and things were looking bleak. That’s when underappreciated Robinho stepped up and gave the Brazilians a much-needed jolt. The rising star became a force as the tournament progressed, scoring a hat trick in Brazil’s next game on his way to a total of six, making him the tournament’s top scorer.
Yet, even after two beatdowns of Chile by a combined score of 10-1, and a closely contested win over Uruguay put Brazil in the familiar spot of a tournament final, the smart money was still on Argentina, especially coming off a ridiculous 3-0 cakewalk over Mexico in the final four. But, as they often do, the Brazilians used their quick strike attack early to demoralize their opponents to the southwest.
A 4th minute goal by Julio Baptista took advantage of a bad pass by the Argentinean defense, and put the “favorites” in a funk they couldn’t get out of. The men in yellow would add two more goals, which will only add to the despair in Argentina following yet another missed opportunity to hit Brazil where it hurts.
On a team full of colorful and talented playmakers, it looks like Robinho’s time has finally come. He’s accustomed to playing amid royalty, playing the last two seasons with Real Madrid and bumping shoulders with celebrities like Beckham and Zidane on a regular basis. Robinho enjoys the pressure of playing alongside the world’s best, and it has only added to his motivation and work ethic as he tries to live up to the comparisons of Pele.
This tournament represented a moment of truth for the Brazil squad as they attempted to navigate their way through the tournament without their most noteworthy world-class stars, including the conspicuous absences of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Kaka.
Coach Dunca’s boys passed the test with flying colors, and have ensured that the Brazilians will continue to stay at the top of food chain in South American for at least a little bit longer.
