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Brazil defeat Chile in the last minute

July 8-2004- When the game seemed to be heading towards a goal-less draw, opportunistic Luis Fabiano headed in the winner that clinched a 1-nil victory for Brazil in their opening match in the Copa América, in Arequipa. This result places Carlos Alberto Parreira´s team in the drivers seat in Group C, alongside Paraguay, who also secured a 1-nil win on their debut.

The Brazilian national team had the better of the early exchanges, squeezing the Chileans, however, they never really gave keeper Alex Varas any trouble. Chile broke on the counter and startled Brazil in their first attacks. On 23 minutes, midfielder Edu brought Rodrigo Valenzuela down in the box. Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez granted the penalty. Sebastian Gonzalez converted the spot-kick, ruled out by the referee for encroachment. As the Chilean striker retook the penalty-kick, he saw the ball fly over the crossbar, squandering the chance to put Chile in the lead. This incident put the Brazilian defenders on alert. The side fell back in their ranks a little more and only created another opportunity on 36 minutes, when Alex struck from outside the box.

After the break, coach Juvenal Olmos replaced Gonzalez, who had missed the spot-kick, for Luis Jimenez. The swap didn´t help the Chilean side turn the pressure on Brazil. Soon after, Parreira put Diego and Ricardo Oliveira on the team, replacing Dudu Cearense and Adriano. The Santos midfielder gave the team a new pace and they almost scored on 63 minutes, through Alex. On 74 minutes, Ricardo Oliveira nearly opened the scoring from distance. Chile only threatened Brazil on 75 minutes, with Mancilla forcing keeper Julio César to a huge save. On 90 minutes, after two debatable plays (which saw Brazilian players pleading for a penalty), Brazil got the deadlock breaker. Alex with the corner-kick and striker Luis Fabiano, who had done very little thus far, heading in the winner. It was the striker´s second goal against Chile in their two last encounters with the Brazilian squad.

The standout of the match, Luis Fabiano, explained the difficulties encountered by the Brazilian squad and how it felt to clinch victory. "The ball wouldn´t reach me. The players were too apart and I was alone up front. We found several obstacles, since the team was mounted recently. I´m glad I scored the goal that will bring confidence to Brazil."

Source : Global.Terra.com / Rodolfo Rodrquez

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