Copa America Update - Group B Wrapup

They started slow, but Brazil managed to win Group B with a 4-2 win over Ecuador last night. Meanwhile it was the surprising Venezuelans who managed to take second in the group as they overcame a two goal lead in the closing minutes against Paraguay to force a draw. Paraguay managed to sneak into the final spot in the quarterfinals as they finished ahead of Costa Rica on goal differential.

BRAZIL 4 ECUADOR 2

Brazilian youngsters Pato and Neymar scored 2 goals apiece as Brazil overcame a surprisingly tough Ecuadorian squad who twice came back from 1 goal deficits in this match. 21 year old Pato opened the scoring with a 28th minute with a header and scored the eventual game winner while 19 year old Neymar scored twice in the second half for the Samba Kings. Neither player had scored in Brazil's first two games, but both players scored in Brazil's 2-0 friendly against the U.S. shortly after the World Cup. Ecuador was resilient in this match though as 22 year old Levante striker Felipe Caicedo twice tied the game, once in each half. Brazil had just too much firepower though and Ecuador was eliminated from the tournament, one of just two South American sides not to advance to the quarterfinals.

PARAGUAY 3 VENEZUELA 3

Cristian Riveros' goal in the 85th minute put Paraguay up by a score of 3-1, but a total defensive meltdown in the game's closing minutes left them settling for a draw and only barely making it into the quarterfinals. Venezuela actually got on the board first in this one as Salomon Rondon, the 21 year old Málaga striker hit a blistering shot from just beyond the top of the box and past a diving Justo Villar. After that Paraguay came storming back though. Wigan Athetlic defender Antolín Alcaraz converted a failed clearance from just beyond the six to tied the game at 1 in the 32nd minute. Then Lucas Barrios, who plays for Borussia Dortmund knocked home a rebound to make it 2-1. And then Riveros headed in a free kick to make 3-1. Game over, right? WRONG. Nicolás Fedor made it a one goal game when his shot deflected in off a sliding defender in the 89th minute and then Venezuela equalized in stoppage time. You know that play at the end of games when the team that's losing brings EVERYBODY up for that final corner kick? Including the goalie? Well, that play never works. EVER. Except this time, it did. Venezuela keeper Renny Vicente Vega won the initial header and Grenddy Perozo won the second ball with a diving header for the equalizer. The win means Venezuela takes second in the group and avoids a quarterfinals match with Brazil. Instead they will take on Chile, winners of Group C.

FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS

LEADING SCORER:

Neymar - Brazil - 2 goals (pictured below)
Alexandre Pato - Brazil - 2 goals
Felipe Caicedo - Ecuador - 2 goals

Photo Courtesy: xogsanpost.com