The 2011 Copa America Schedule Will Find a Semifinals With No Favorites
Well the 2011 Copa America tournament is not going at all as planned. The heavy favorites as this tournament started were Brazil and Argentina. But they did anything but play like favorites. Both teams opened with lackluster draws in their first two games of group stage play.
Than both teams bounced back with strong wins in their group stage finale to advance to the quarterfinals. It seemed like things were back on track for the squads. Think again.
Paraguay took down Brazil on Sunday by defeating them 2-0 in a penalty shootout. The score at the end of regulation was 0-0. It was a shocking result for what should have been a powerful offense.
Thiago Silva's shot was blocked, and Elano, Andre Santos and Fred all missed their attempts.
And that result was strikingly similar to host Argentina's lost a day earlier to Uruguay.
The Argentines also lost on penalties, but at least they made four of them. The penalty kick total was 5-4. It took a fantastic stop by goalkeeper, Fernando Muslera, on a shot from substitute Carlos T�vez.
So with the two heavyweights out of the tournaments the 2011 Copa America is wide open. Peru is set to take on Uruguay.
On the other side of the action Paraguay will take on the winner of Chile and Venezuela.
Uruguay is undoubtedly the most talented team remaining in this tournament, but that has meant very little in this Copa America. And Uruguay got off to just as slow a start in this tournament as Brazil and Argentina.
Still, you have to consider them the favorites. And for this tournament, that may be the absolutely worst spot to be. If I had to bet, I'd put my money on Paraguay. They are doing just enough to win and they are coming into their own with each passing game.
Check out Bleacher Report's World Football Page for all up-to-date news and analysis.
Copa America 2011 TV Schedule: What and When to Watch
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