Boys from Brazil outclass Argentina
Wednesday, 29 June 2005 22:48Brazil crushed rivals Argentina 4-1 with a superb display of attacking football to add the Confederations Cup to their World Cup and Copa America titles tonight.
Long-range goals from Adriano and Kaka gave Brazil a commanding early lead before Ronaldinho and another goal from Inter Milan striker Adriano continued
the match's one-sided nature.
Argentina, who handed Brazil a painful 3-1 beating in a World Cup qualifier three weeks ago, grabbed a consolation goal through substitute Pablo Aimar in the 65th minute.
Eleven minutes into the clash, Adriano put his side ahead with a crushing 25-yard shot.
Controlling a short Cicinho pass on the right, the striker skipped past Gabriel Heinze, ran into the middle and unleashed a powerful left-footed strike before Esteban Cambiasso could intervene.
His effort, a carbon copy of the goal he scored against Greece earlier in the competition, flew past Argentina keeper German Lux.
Cesar Delgado almost took advantage of the Brazilian celebrations when, seconds after the restart, he found himself clean through on keeper Dida but the Milan star hacked the ball to safety.
Juan Roman Riquelme then curled a shot just past the post before Kaka delighted the sell-out crowd of 45,509 with another beautiful long-distance goal.
Instead of bringing in Robinho for a quick one-two in central midfield, Kaka gently curled a right-footed shot into the top right-hand corner of the net.
Ronaldinho put the issue beyond doubt just two minutes into the second half as he slotted home a Cicinho cross from the right wing.
The night got worse for Argentina as they conceded again in the 64th minute.
Cicinho sent over a cross from the right and Adriano rose highest to power a header past Lux.
Argentina eventually got a goal to their name a minute later.
Javier Zanetti created space for Delgado on the right, and his cross was nodded in by substitute Aimar.
Its was a fitting finale to a superb tournament that saw 56 goals scored in 16 matches and augurs well for next year's World Cup - especially for Brazil.
