On this day in 2007, Argentina defeated Mexico 3-0 at the Copa America.
It was a star studded Copa America squad which coach Alfio BASILE had put together. Juan Roman RIQUELME, Lionel MESSI, Pablo AIMAR, Hernan CRESPO, Javier ZANETTI, Roberto AYALA and Juan Seba VERON just to name a few. In short, it was a destructive team.
In the semi-finals of the tournament which was held in Venezuela, Argentina were up against Mexico and it was two genius goals and one penalty which put the Mexican team to the sword.
Argentina were awarded a free kick late in the first half and it was Juan Roman RIQUELME who stood above it. A beautifully sent in cross was meant by Gabriel HEINZE of all people who karate kicked the ball into the back of the net. Just like that, Argentina were up 1-0 going into half time.
The second half saw arguably the goal of the tournament. Lionel MESSI, mullet and all received the ball near the edge of the penalty area. He took a few touches and chipped it over the goalkeeper. MESSI was making that tournament his own and was showing the world what he was capable of doing.
A third goal was in the books and it was RIQUELME who took the penalty kick. In typical RIQUELME fashion, he chipped the ball down the middle to seal the 3-0 victory and Argentina’s passage into the final.
Here was Argentina’s starting XI for the match:
Roberto ABBONDANZIERI
Javier ZANETTI
Roberto AYALA
Gabriel MILITO
Gabriel HEINZE
Esteban CAMBIASSO
Javier MASCHERANO
Juan Sebastian VERON
Juan Roman RIQUELME
Lionel MESSI
Carlos TEVEZ
Substitutes:
Juan CARRIZO
Agustin ORION
Daniel DIAZ
Hugo IBARRA
Nicolas BURDISSO
Fernando GAGO (came on for VERON)
Luis GONZALEZ
Pablo AIMAR (came on for RIQUELME)
Diego MILITO
Rodrigo PALACIO (came on for TEVEZ)
Hernan CRESPO
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