The Copa America of upsets looks like it might continue. An unpredictable group stage led to a quarterfinals in which both Argentina and Brazil were eliminated. Now it looks like we may have to add Chile to that list too because halfway through their quarterfinal contest against Venezuela they find themselves trailing 1-0 thanks to a goal by Oswaldo Vicarrondo.
Copa America 2011 Quarterfinals, Chile Vs. Venezuela: Underdog Venezuela Leads 1-0 At Half
Nobody would call the first half pretty and that’s somewhat appropriate. Copa America hasn’t been pretty with an abnormal amount of draws, a lack of goals and little of the brilliant passing that highlights that South American game. This match has fit in perfectly with both teams playing a game of giveaway, taking turns losing the ball with overambitious or just sloppy passing.
As poor as the match may be it times, it had one moment of fine play and it led to a goal. On a free kick from the right side, a perfect ball was driven towards the near post. Vicarrondo came flying through and deftly deflected a header past the goalkeeper and into the side netting for the opening tally of the match. It was a beautiful delivery, a superb header and while the first 45 minutes may not impress anyone, the goal was exactly how set plays are drawn up.
Now that Venezuela are a goal to the good, they can play defensive and lean on a back line that has been near perfect not just in this match, but all tournament long. Gabriel Chichero and Roberto Rosales have been rocks at the back and they'll have to continue to be because they'll have Humberto Suazo and Alexis Sanchez flying at them time and time again all second half long.
See More:
