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Argentina Beat Brazil in Olympic Semi-Final, Nigeria Thrash Belgium

   

Argentina 3-0 Brazil

Argentina avenged the 3-0 Copa America 2007 and Confederations Cup 2005 defeats in the Men’s Olympic Football semi-final today, beating Brazil 3-0.

Bit of controversy around the goals. You can see in the above video that Sergio Aguero’s first goal may or may not have been handball. A touch of the old Hand of God? Can we call it the Arm of Kun? Maybe, but if it was handball it was nowhere near as blatant as Diego Maradona’s 1986 effort that still gives Peter Shilton bad dreams. Ater watching the slo-mo I’m thinking it was all chest.

Aguero’s second goal looks way offside on first viewing, but you can see on the replay that Brazilian no. 3 Alex Silva was playing everyone onside.

Juan Roman Riquelme made it 3-0 with a penalty after Aguero was brought down in the box and that was that. Not shown in the above video, Javier Mascherano turned into a red-card magnet in the last ten minutes, getting fouled once by Liverpool team-mate Lucas and once by Thiago Neves. Both were in the showers early. The cards were a little harsh (each could have been just plain old yellow) but the fouls were stupid and cynical. Both men will miss the bronze medal game now.


Some sympathy for Ronaldinho, who was on a mission to win gold for Brazil. He came up with a great bit of skill in the first half (around 00:20 on the above video) and could be seen chasing lost causes right up until the final whistle.

The result not only puts Argentina into the Olympic gold medal game (against Nigeria, see below) it also brings things level in Argentina and Brazil’s historic rivalry. It’s now 35 wins each and 24 draws.

Nigeria 4-1 Belgium

Nigeria looked the business in the earlier semi-final. Goals from Olubayo Adefemi, Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi (x2) amd Chibuzor Okonkwo but the Super Eagles into a 4-0 lead, before Belgium got a too little toon late consoloation through Laurent Ciman in the 88th minute.

The bronze medal game will be Belgium vs Brazil, August 22nd in Shanghai, 7pm kick off local time.

The gold medal game will be Argentina vs Nigeria, August 23rd in Beijing, 12 noon kick off local time.


  • sandrahn

    As a Brazilian, it did hurt, but all football-loving Brazilians are thanking Argentina right now! Maybe this humiliation is what the CBF needs to wake the hell up and fire a manager who saddles *BRAZIL* with THREE DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS!!!

  • mele419

    Bah.

  • A.

    Here, here…Sandra!

    Argentina did, however, have a much stronger team than Brazil.

  • John

    Any reason why the squad didn’t let Aguero take the PK for the hat trick? He even earned it, it’s not like he didn’t deserve a chance.

  • mel

    all things have to be put in perspective. argentinians make this into a bigger thing that it truly is, there was no kaka, robinho, lucio, and the rest of the gang and it was visible. on the other hand this tournament showed that ronaldinho should not be in the selecao, he is trying but he is far from being back. pato holds promise but has yet to mature. diego may be a great team player but he simply does not cut in the selecao.

    I was very impressed by hernanes, thiago and sobis.

    I think dunga has done as much as he could and the time has come to switch to a more experienced coach and perhaps keep dunga as assistant because he is studious and could in time become a good coach.

    argentina has to enjoy whatever they can because they don’t have the five worldcups and the pedigree that brazil has so let them enjoy their victory otherwise they could go into a deep depression.

  • gaston

    brazil played bad game today and they deserved to lose, this is no longer the brazil of the last 1990’s and early 2000’s. overrated players imo, the likes of rivaldo, ronaldo, roberto carlos where wonders to watch, this team had nothing special about, except for an alcoholic party loving player. i’m serious brazil sometimes wins because of luck, not because they are the better team

    this looks like the end of dinho to me. people said his form was back, i didn’t see it in this game. the guy was no show

  • Native Son

    DAryl,

    Thank you for messing up my day. I was trying to find the link to the game on this site and have 90 minutes of suspense all to myself and guess what the first thing I saw was? Argentina beats Brazil in semis…………

    DAryl, you are forgiven. At least we beat the mediocre team. That’s the consolation for me. Viva ARgentina.

  • http://littlemissdiana.blogspot.com diana

    Argentina versus Nigeria in the final…two former Olympic winners. Should be, interesting.

  • Native Son

    Folks, where can one watch the game? Thanks.

  • gaston

    CNBC at mid night on friday (final)

    semi final 7pm

  • Albo

    Mel, well thanks for letting us enjoy our victory. that means a lot, dude, from the bottom of my heart…

    Sandrahn, no sarcasm here, yours is the best post I have read coming from a brazilian fan.

  • http://libertadores.theoffside.com Mauro

    If Brazil had won this match, this blog would be alight with readers extolling the virtues of the Brazilian game and how strategically well the match was staged and how smart Dunga was to upset the more offensive Argentines and how all the Brazilian players will most likely be on their way to larger type contracts with bigger clubs.

    Instead, they lost and people are taking this moment to trash Dunga like he has no idea how to field a footballing side, much less a Brazilian side. The Copa America final was played perfectly, defensive, but well staged and planned for and they owned Argentina, oh, and there was no Kaka that day. But today the opposite happened and no one should be happy about the Brazil side that was fielded today, I get that.

    Still, there is something to be said about standing behind your coach and team and none of you Brazilian fans are doing that. You are sore losers, losing to a superior team on the day and failing to recognize THAT team’s virtues, for that you should feel shamed, not for a poor coach or a bad strategic decision. Take your lumps, you lost, own it.

    And to Mel, you are hurt, I get it. But you can roll up your “five worldcups and the pedigree that brazil has” and shove them where the sun doesn’t shine because today it did not matter. We won, and you’re damned right I’m going to celebrate until Friday, when I’ll celebrate again.

  • mel

    ah the low class of the porteños comes thru. it’s funny how the little people even in their occasional victories manage to give credit to the other side so is the price of envy :)
    argentina plays well but they resent not being brazil. they truly hate being second rated to brazil and live their lives under the shadow of brazil. we got pele and they elevate their ambulatory pharmacy known as maradona to the same status. we have five world cups and would have six hadn’t the junta stole the 1978 cup when they bribed peru. for each good player we have five. it must be tough being argentinian, living in an inferiority complex bubble. I pitty you.

  • Bruno Romani

    thank you, mel

  • vurt

    mel:

    You might want to go back and re-read the last lines of the article. Argentina is hardly a team of “occasional victories”– especially against the likes of Brazil.

    And I quote: “The result not only puts Argentina into the Olympic gold medal game (against Nigeria, see below) it also brings things level in Argentina and Brazil’s historic rivalry. It’s now 35 wins each and 24 draws.”

    Read it and weep, pal. That big empty spot in Brazil’s trophy cabinet is going to stay empty for at least another 4 years.

  • http://libertadores.theoffside.com Mauro

    I believe we had 11 damn good players this morning that bested the 14 you had on the pitch and subbed on.

    Again, your aloofness does nothing for you or your team as they go out and the best they can take home to put next to those five world cups is a BRONZE medal, if they can manage that.

    As far as wishing we were Brazil and living under their shadow, I’ll be the first to admit that over the years, Brazil has fielded great teams, some of the best ever, in fact, and they are usually able to beat any other team on most days. But again, not today.

    I love being Argentine, especially today. And I’ll be happy to be Argentine on Friday as well. There is much to proud of.

    You lost Mel. Own it. You were outplayed. Respect that.

  • mel

    yo vurt, who gives a hoot about an olympic medal? when it comes to soccer brazilians care about the big one, everything else is icing on the cake. like I said nobody denies that argentina is a good team but it is next in the pecking order after brazil which only sabotages itself with the corrupt authorities at the cbf. argentina does have great players come on, nobody denies that messi, aguero, tevez and riquelme are outstanding players but argentina does not hold a candle to brazil’s altar as the number one country in the world and history when it comes to soccer. will brazil win every game? of course not, but in your pathetic display you diminish your victory revealing the true mediocrity of people who even in victory live under the shadow of brazil.
    I for one will never say that this team was a great team because it is not. so enjoy your victory and stop being like a pig that being recently bathed is just rolling in the mud. I am not even brazilian but I have followed football for a long time and I got to see the best of the best play like pele, beckenbauer, cruyff, maradona and I followed the best team ever which was the team of brazil in 1970. I am a brazilian fan because they won me over the years and not because of one single victory. the world is brazilian the rest is just that, the rest.

  • Albo

    Melvin, you scare even brazilian fans.
    They know better.
    They pick up the pieces and know how to wait and come back.
    But you, you choose the worst time to talk trash, dude.
    You just got your butt kicked in front of the whole world.
    Just read the papers. The Brazilian papers I mean.
    Desubicado, el nene

  • Max C. Dike

    Bravo Super eaglets.You did it before(in 1996)!
    Surely, you can do it again in 2008!!
    I wish you all the best from Athens, Greece!!!
    I am very proud of you guys!
    Siasia, may God bless your efforts the more.

  • http://libertadores.theoffside.com Mauro

    Sorry, but firstly, you attacked the Argentines with something about a “deep depression.” It was you who started this whole thing.

    We have our own pedigree and our own number of players around the world. We have nothing to envy Brazil. Our happiness comes from today’s events. If you feel the need to bring up all of Brazil’s exploits in order to minimize today’s events, than enjoy YOUR bubble. Today was about the Olympic football tournament, about the current moment not 1970.

    Congratulations on watching so much football but failing to acknowledge when your side has been bested, like today. I think you’re acting like the pig in this case.

    And thanks for trying to keep us from enjoying our win with your negativity. Jackass.

  • mel

    mauro and you keep on going on this? you are just testifying to the envy argentinians hold for brazil!! I am sorry you have been relegated to olympic football to find something to win but hey there is a solution: hire a foreign coach, how about dunga? we’ll give him at no charge to you. he should be able to handle your players.

    now you blind marsupial I have said repeatedly that argentina played better today because brazil played so bad. enjoy the leftovers when they are given to you and run with that tail between your legs boludo.

  • Albo

    Hey Mel, te abrieron el orto hoy, zoretón.
    Y se ve que te gustó porque querés más.

  • http://libertadores.theoffside.com Mauro

    No thanks Mel. Shove Dunga right where I told you to put the “five world cups and the Brazilian pedigree” earlier. None of those things did you any good today. And besides, we have plenty of coaching options to choose from rather than to pick up a washed up coach from a neighboring country.

    I am not relegated to Olympic football. It’s one of the tournaments Brazil has never won and I relish the fact that we have an opportunity to win our second. There are plenty of cups ahead to win and I look forward to playing Brazil in all of them.

    And actually, no, you hadn’t said that Argentina were better today, not once. You spent your time belittling the team, it’s history and the people.

    Let’s get one thing straight, Argentina did not win because Brazil gave them the victory. Argentina beat them fair and square. No one here made an attempt at trying to take the “first place in the pecking order” away from Brazil, we’ll let you have that one so you can pet it while you lie in bed trying to go to sleep tonight. Oh, and since we are still alive in the tournament, that makes us the best South American team in this competition.

    Be responsible for what you say. Moron.

  • Bart

    “The result not only puts Argentina into the Olympic gold medal game (against Nigeria, see below) it also brings things level in Argentina and Brazil’s historic rivalry. It’s now 35 wins each and 24 draws.”

    As a matter of technicality here, I thought this tally didn’t include age restricted matches, only the senior squads.. Are U-17/U-20 tourneys counted in the tally as well?

  • Bart

    Oh ok, looked it up, and the age-restricted tourneys are included in the tally. Even Stevens it is, then. :)

  • Moose

    Argentina will go down to Nigeria in the Olympics finals once AGAIN!!!!!

    And while everyone has their Brazil-Argentina feud,….let me say that African teams would be winning World Cups if we weren’t poor/corrupt/disorganized. Africa has the most talent in the world.

  • gaston

    true moose (we constantly supplying european clubs with players)

    what african teams lack is the experience and familiarity with the world cup tournaments compared to brazil, argentina, italy. and the inferiority complex (football wise) or the teams have. (facing their former colonial powers)

    some teams crush when they hear they will be playing brazil or italy or england or france.

  • mel

    Albo kids like you remind me what many British friends tell me when they landed in Malvinas the “charlataneria” meant nothing as your guys ran to the hills…..It’s easy playing the macho man behind the Internet and your language reflects your insecurity. And what’s this concern with butts that you and Mauro seem to be sharing? You guys can come out of the closet if you wish.

    Anyways I was laughing today reading the newspapers in Argentina where they show a photo of Aguero and the heading reads “Our Bebetos” in remembering Bebeto’s trademark gesture. Again the low self-esteem robs a great player like Aguero of his moment because at home he has to be compared to what? A brazilian :)

    I am glad about the result because Brazil needs to rid itself of the Parreira/Dunga era. Argentina had three over 23 players while Brazil only had one and the one is a recovering fatso. The CBF failed in getting Kaka and Robinho and inexperience made the difference but this is the olympics and we will meet again next year in Confederaciones and rest assured that things will be different and Brazil will show Argentina where its place is as a second-tiered team behind the magnificent brazilians. My only concern is that such event may send Marradona back to his crack addictions.

  • Albo

    Mel, I’m not a kid.
    Most probably I’m your father, but I never cared to find out.

  • http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

    Everyone, please keep this football related and not personal.

  • mel

    Albo you are 80 years old? I am 60 so to be my Father you would have to be at least 80 but if age did not play a role I would still doubt it because your comments reflect that your brainpower is minimal. I on the other hand hold a doctorate in Finite Mathematics from Standford so I guess you have to wish that your kids turn out to be half of what I am. Funny how looking at the stats Argentina is still second-tiered, it seems that mathematically you guys are doomed to be second-rated.

  • mel

    Daryl, how come you don’t tell that to this Albo guy? In Every corner I see him belittling everybody else. He should be banned anyways I am done with this, this is boring with so many fanatics who think football is the elixir of life. It’s just a sport.Bye.

  • http://www.nacopa.com.br Ana

    Winning against Argentina feels 100 times better than winning against any other squad. Losing feels 100 time worse. I feel 100 times more sadness. Although we have won most, we can’t win all.

    Brazil sucked. Dunga was trash, did not step up when he needed to. A coach needs to be able to handle pressure and act quick when neede. Argentina played beautiful football and that’s the end of it.

  • Nolan

    Bringing the Malvinas into it? Mel you really are pathetic.

  • Yong

    Neither the argentina nor brazil team in this tornament can match the dream team IV of Nigeria. They surely guning for gold.

  • Bruno Romani

    Bebeto…

    when we talk about him, I remember this:
    http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=apDNkl-yOWA&feature=related

    maybe Ole does not forget this too.

  • oafak

    “I on the other hand hold a doctorate in Finite Mathematics from Standford”. Mel, just talking about Mathematics, it appears to me that a 75 year old Albo could still be your father and this computation does not require a PhD in Math from Stanford. A high school biology class from a local high school will do the job.

  • mel

    Oafak you may not know this but Albo is a much younger person than 75. Can’t you tell in his immaturity? He is a brat who dares people behind his keyboard.

    Oafak what is your call for tomorrow? Nigeria wins? I wouldn’t doubt it because the argentinians are malnourished midgets that collapse every time they are challenged by strong teams. I like the African teams, I think they have a great future as they mix technique and strength. Look at Messi, nice player but like Robinho they are too fragile. They have to be fed and developed by the European teams so that they overcome their third world underdeveloped physiques.

  • anand

    bastard mel….u prick…

  • oafak

    Mel, I feel honoured that you want to know my opinion about the finals. I have read much of what is being written about the Argentina team. Twelve years ago, we had to meet both Brazil and Argentina in Atlanta. We beat them both. Its interesting that the selectively amnestic predictions are exactly today what the writers wrote at that time.
    For Nigeria, we are presenting eleven young men who think like champions and who will beat whoever is on the opposing side. Let them be Brazillians, let them be Argentines. Many people may not remember that these two teams met three years ago in Holland. Argentina won 2-1 their goals coming from two penalty kicks.
    I expect that Nigeria will give them 2-0. The only thing that can save them is one department where they are vastly superior to the Nigerian team: feigning injuries to get spotkicks. Once the Nigerian side can take care of that, Argentine eleven overrated boys will fall like a pack of cards!

  • http://ameblo.jp/arzentin/ Nyokky Shiraishi

    http://ameblo.jp/arzentin/entry-10130656331.html

    Nigeria is the first half goal from Argentina攻め込む.
    Argentina’s attack, defensive MF Fernando Gago and Juan Javier MASUKERANO from midfield and leaving RIKERUME romance, FW’s MESSHI, Sergio AGUERO, Angel DIMARIA to a normal pattern, but the first half of MESSHI till the first ball in midfield is written and go to the “second column” position to dribble on the verge of a breakthrough, a chance to make.
    The first scene there is an opportunity to make the Nigerian penalty area, the number of DF to take the MESSHI, AGUERO Do not go into the penalty area.
    DIMARIA This will be a free, but the distance shot chance to make a cap and the goal was not to take off.
    And other teams in Europe, “KUROSUBORU from both sides” have to attack, but Argentina is short of many players, and Nigeria is a high stature and physical ability揃いplayers, so it is hardly to give KUROSUBORU . Rather than to any other fine dribbling and passing attack to mark the victory of the Argentine soccer website.

    Past midfield early days, “water time” was created. (Also once been late) and the rare spectacle was also considered, but the Argentine domestic league games during the summer is ubiquitous sight, sometimes “watering hose from the audience to” have enough time.
    This time the water supply, conglutinate expansion is a bit unusual, but it is in Nigeria to recover from healthy, Argentina on the verge of a strike at goal, making it KUROSUBORU opportunities. But Argentina also allowed to scoring the first half, finished 0-0.

    Similarly in the second half of the first half of each other, attacking each other and expand. Meanwhile, the decision has still won power in Argentina.
    Nigeria is an attack on Argentina DF measures the loose ball back in midfield MESSHI to seize the ball. DIMARIA reversed forthwith to the vertical path. DIMARIA quickly to break through vertical and speed to stay out of Nigeria GK moment stooping to lob shot hit the ball beyond the goal of GK’s head. The long-awaited pre-emptive took the point.

    And from here on is a vicious attack against Nigeria and Argentina are “attacks while protecting time to” expand into.
    WAKARIZU leprosy is that the front Argentina is the other陣内to keep the ball, dribble, pass and a time to fight it.
    Then, keep the defensive MF MASUKERANO of power and stability, the ability to win the ball Gago is remarkably high. This game is particularly Gago, to actively tackle on the verge of sliding the ball away at midfield.
    Nigeria is also a lot of opportunities during the championships, plus the GK Ustari were injured on the play by Sergio Romero struggled defensively because of a scoring whatsoever.
    And, before Nigeria is to hold a When she was afraid to expand, Lionel MESSHI.
    MESSHI to carry the ball and the vertical speed to break through the finish, before攻め込みgoal, AGUERO path to the last.
    Had a goal, but a great diversion of Nigeria.

    And late, AGUERO be replaced Jose Sosa, instead EBERU DIMARIA to spring moth, a MESSHI ESEKIERU RABESSHI appeared instead. Thick midfield.
    (By the way, is plotting the spring in Argentina’s Boca JUNIORUZU Gago MF is missing after he was defensive player. MASUKERANO addition to the top three defensive MF is a powerful lineup.)
    Argentina to the rest of the time attacking, but the lone defensive ,1-0 victory.

    Olympic second straight year, a total of 12 games in a row, unprecedented in the Olympic stage to demonstrate the strength of Argentina.
    South Africa’s future after two years of W’s Cup victory for the earnest desire to combat.

    Finally, the Japanese media to remonstrate呈したいbut the MESSHI “Maradona II,” has stopped using the word, it is a good thing.
    “Maradona II,” has had the naming Ortega, Gallardo, and many AIMARU FURU use by players, Maradona, MESSHI not want to see it in person.
    Also present “Maradona officially II (Maradona’s son)” It might be AGUERO and now he’s big event as well.
    日本語 » 英語 翻訳 翻訳を改善する

    Google 翻訳の改善にご協力いただきありがとうございます。お寄せいただいたご意見は、翻訳品質の向上に活用させていただきます。 Nigeria win the Atlanta Olympics and the last time Athens Olympic champion Argentina (Atlanta Olympic Games runner-up) showdown between the game and the scorching sun. Nigeria is the first half goal from Argentina攻め込む. Argentina's attack, defensive MF Fernando Gago and Juan Javier MASUKERANO from midfield and leaving RIKERUME romance, FW's MESSHI, Sergio AGUERO, Angel DIMARIA to a normal pattern, but the first half of MESSHI till the first ball in midfield is written and go to the "second column" position to dribble on the verge of a breakthrough, a chance to make. The first scene there is an opportunity to make the Nigerian penalty area, the number of DF to take the MESSHI, AGUERO Do not go into the penalty area. DIMARIA This will be a free, but the distance shot chance to make a cap and the goal was not to take off. And other teams in Europe, "KUROSUBORU from both sides" have to attack, but Argentina is short of many players, and Nigeria is a high stature and physical ability揃いplayers, so it is hardly to give KUROSUBORU . Rather than to any other fine dribbling and passing attack to mark the victory of the Argentine soccer website. Past midfield early days, "water time" was created. (Also once been late) and the rare spectacle was also considered, but the Argentine domestic league games during the summer is ubiquitous sight, sometimes "watering hose from the audience to" have enough time. This time the water supply, conglutinate expansion is a bit unusual, but it is in Nigeria to recover from healthy, Argentina on the verge of a strike at goal, making it KUROSUBORU opportunities. But Argentina also allowed to scoring the first half, finished 0-0. Similarly in the second half of the first half of each other, attacking each other and expand. Meanwhile, the decision has still won power in Argentina. Nigeria is an attack on Argentina DF measures the loose ball back in midfield MESSHI to seize the ball. DIMARIA reversed forthwith to the vertical path. DIMARIA quickly to break through vertical and speed to stay out of Nigeria GK moment stooping to lob shot hit the ball beyond the goal of GK's head. The long-awaited pre-emptive took the point. And from here on is a vicious attack against Nigeria and Argentina are "attacks while protecting time to" expand into. WAKARIZU leprosy is that the front Argentina is the other陣内to keep the ball, dribble, pass and a time to fight it. Then, keep the defensive MF MASUKERANO of power and stability, the ability to win the ball Gago is remarkably high. This game is particularly Gago, to actively tackle on the verge of sliding the ball away at midfield. Nigeria is also a lot of opportunities during the championships, plus the GK Ustari were injured on the play by Sergio Romero struggled defensively because of a scoring whatsoever. And, before Nigeria is to hold a When she was afraid to expand, Lionel MESSHI. MESSHI to carry the ball and the vertical speed to break through the finish, before攻め込みgoal, AGUERO path to the last. Had a goal, but a great diversion of Nigeria. And late, AGUERO be replaced Jose Sosa, instead EBERU DIMARIA to spring moth, a MESSHI ESEKIERU RABESSHI appeared instead. Thick midfield. (By the way, is plotting the spring in Argentina's Boca JUNIORUZU Gago MF is missing after he was defensive player. MASUKERANO addition to the top three defensive MF is a powerful lineup.) Argentina to the rest of the time attacking, but the lone defensive ,1-0 victory. Olympic second straight year, a total of 12 games in a row, unprecedented in the Olympic stage to demonstrate the strength of Argentina. South Africa's future after two years of W's Cup victory for the earnest desire to combat. Finally, the Japanese media to remonstrate呈したいbut the MESSHI "Maradona II," has stopped using the word, it is a good thing. "Maradona II," has had the naming Ortega, Gallardo, and many AIMARU FURU use by players, Maradona, MESSHI not want to see it in person. Also present "Maradona officially II (Maradona's son)" It might be AGUERO and now he's big event as well.

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