The match was decided in the round of penalty kicks (5-4) after a good performance from the star Barca beats Colombia Peru (2-0) in overtime and goes to semifinals
All over for an Argentina who dreamed of glory and had a bitter awakening. Despite having had a fantastic Lionel Messi for the first time, was America's Cup for the difference in a penalty. Fell 5-4 against a hardened Uruguay, after a draw in a goal in 120 minutes. Fernando Muslera, goalkeeper born in Buenos Aires, Uruguayan parents, gave his team a pass to the semifinals after stopping the firing of Carlos Tevez. Peru will play Uruguay, which beat Colombia 2-0 and became the other surprise of the tournament.
The Argentina team went to pay the high price of being favorite and take too seriously the predictions. He had done things better, had moments of good play, especially when the ball went through the feet Messi, but not quite enough to subdue an opponent who knows his script memory and punchy supplies what is lacking in imagination.
He knew it was a sort of "early end" of the Cup's classic "River Plate" has always been unpredictable because one side is more at stake than the party. A rivalry. One way to understand and live the game.
Uruguay was the one who struck first, five minutes. Diego Forlan's free kick. Martin Cáceres with its head in the area, with an unflinching defense, which always was overtaken at the top. Goalkeeper Sergio Romero reached out and deflected the ball. But there was Diego Perez to make things 1-0. The stage of Colon de Santa Fe was speechless.
Many feared the worst imagined the worst. The Phantom of the German rout in South Africa over the city of Santa Fe, however, Messi got the team on his shoulder and carried him closer to Muslera. The public Santa Fe had abused during the match against Colombia. At this time, there was unanimous praise. "Leo, thank you for so much and so little forgiveness," read one banner. "Messi, thanks for Argentina," read another. The Flea was inspired. He played down the right and caused severe headaches for the Uruguayan defense, which only he could stop it with kicks. Leo got up without complaining, and still making the rounds. The Barca star Higuain left in scoring position over once. A half-hour average, was served on a platter to the attacker's mother chooses where to place it on its head. It was a tie, the best time of the premises.
Uruguay lost to Perez, after several failures, but its performance is not weakened. Moreover, Argentina was never able to take advantage of the numerical difference. In each center or contratagolpe, selecting "celestial" defense ravaged Argentina.
Argentina does not keep pace the first stage. Messi might not be as gravitating, and without the Flea, the group of Batista is devalued. Coach Sergio Batista decided the entry of Javier Pastore, who had a good understanding with Leo and Carlos Tevez. Uruguay, with obvious signs of fatigue, he tried to hang on and get to penalties. "We fought more than what we played," admitted the defender Lugano. But that determination was its fruit. Upon closing of the supplement, Mascherano was sent off and the game ended balancing.
Extra time was closer to Argentina to victory. The good performance of Muslera put a stop to that thirst for victory. Then came the definition from the Twelve Steps. Messi was the first penalty kick, with one supreme tranquility. In Argentina also became Burdisso, Higuain Pastore. However, Tevez failed. Took race and fired hard, as if to pierce the network. Muslera said no. Uruguay had been shot by Forlan, Suarez, Scotti and Gargano. Martín Cáceres sealed a spot in the semifinal. On the streets of Montevideo took to celebrate. Argentina became a collective wake.
Post-match reaction
"I do not call it failure. We did everything possible to win this Cup have to keep working, knowing the players. I do not think about quitting. I have a project and a contract that I will fulfill whatever the outcome," said Batista . According to the technician, "Lionel played 30 minutes exceptional in the first half. And in the second we lower the intensity. "
Again the Flea was left with nothing to selection. On the court he shut the mouths of the opponents. "Olé, olé, Leo, Leo," he sang. Could not be. "Messi is a great player, as much of the history of football, but we worked a lot. They relied on their individual potential," said Uruguay coach Oscar Washington Tabarez. "Now we have to celebrate much and go for more," he said.
Messi returned to the dressing in silence. And quietly left the stadium. "I play with Barcelona won, now I want to win something with the team," he said upon arriving in Buenos Aires, weeks before the tournament began.'d Imagined another outcome. You must wait until the World Cup in Brazil. "What frustration," stammered Mascherano . 'We are hurting. We had the illusion of winning the Cup did not expect this phase, "said Pastore. "Now we must look ahead," he resigned Huiguain. "We leave with our heads held high because we life," he said.