Today I managed to catch up some Copa America quarterfinal action, the match between world cup finalists Argentina and Colombia.
While Argentina are ranked as the third best side in the world. Colombia is next best ranked team at no 4 according to Fifa rankings. The match was heavily dominated by Argentina creating one after one scoring opportunities.
However the man who stood between them was the Colombian goalkeeper Ospinia, who made a great double save in the first half and in the second half deflected a header that was going towards the goal to the goalpost. Had it not been for him Colombia would have lost the match in normal time and probably by a huge margin.
In this tournament the semifinals and quarterfinals have no extra time so as soon as the match ended in a goal less draw in regulation time the extra time started.
With a goalkeeper like Ospinia,Colombia had a fair chance of winning the match. Had everyone,who took the shot on goal had done that properly, Colombia might well have upset Argentina.
However some of its players were unable to take the pressure of the situation and ended up kicking the ball away from the goalpost by quite a distance. Even the Argentine players on two occasions kicked the ball away from goalpost during penalty shootouts. The Argentine goalkeeper was able to save one of the penalties and Tavez hit the winning shot to send Argentina to the semi-finals.
Argentina dominated the entire match but it was Ospinia's brilliance that denied them a goal. This shows how relatively lesser rank team with an excellent goalkeeper can frustrate and even beat an opposition. Colombia did create a scoring opportunity in the 2nd half but the shot directly went into the goalkeeper's hand.
Now that Argentina are in the semis , the other quarter final that would be played between Brazil and Paraguay tonight will determine their opponents in the semi-final match. Most people in the world would want Brazil to win , because it would be great to see a Brazil - Argentina semifinal.
The Brazil vs Paraguay match promises to be an exciting match even though Neymar will not be playing because of suspension. The match is scheduled at 9:15 pm GMT. I am really looking forward to watching the match.
While Argentina are ranked as the third best side in the world. Colombia is next best ranked team at no 4 according to Fifa rankings. The match was heavily dominated by Argentina creating one after one scoring opportunities.
However the man who stood between them was the Colombian goalkeeper Ospinia, who made a great double save in the first half and in the second half deflected a header that was going towards the goal to the goalpost. Had it not been for him Colombia would have lost the match in normal time and probably by a huge margin.
In this tournament the semifinals and quarterfinals have no extra time so as soon as the match ended in a goal less draw in regulation time the extra time started.
With a goalkeeper like Ospinia,Colombia had a fair chance of winning the match. Had everyone,who took the shot on goal had done that properly, Colombia might well have upset Argentina.
However some of its players were unable to take the pressure of the situation and ended up kicking the ball away from the goalpost by quite a distance. Even the Argentine players on two occasions kicked the ball away from goalpost during penalty shootouts. The Argentine goalkeeper was able to save one of the penalties and Tavez hit the winning shot to send Argentina to the semi-finals.
Argentina dominated the entire match but it was Ospinia's brilliance that denied them a goal. This shows how relatively lesser rank team with an excellent goalkeeper can frustrate and even beat an opposition. Colombia did create a scoring opportunity in the 2nd half but the shot directly went into the goalkeeper's hand.
Now that Argentina are in the semis , the other quarter final that would be played between Brazil and Paraguay tonight will determine their opponents in the semi-final match. Most people in the world would want Brazil to win , because it would be great to see a Brazil - Argentina semifinal.
The Brazil vs Paraguay match promises to be an exciting match even though Neymar will not be playing because of suspension. The match is scheduled at 9:15 pm GMT. I am really looking forward to watching the match.
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