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Argentina, Chile in quarters, Brazil sack Dunga after exit
SEATTLE: Argentina maintained their 100 percent record at the Copa America Centenario on Tuesday with a 3-0 victory over hapless Bolivia.
SEATTLE: Argentina maintained their 100 percent record at the Copa America Centenario on Tuesday with a 3-0 victory over hapless Bolivia.
The tournament favourites, already assured of a quarter-final berth after wins over Chile and Panama, wrapped up their Group D campaign with an easy win at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field.
The victory sees Argentina reach the last eight as group winners, handing them what in theory should be a straightforward assignment against Venezuela in Foxborough on Saturday.
The two-time world champions are determined to end a 23-year wait for a major title after suffering agonizing defeats in the finals of the 2014 World Cup and last year’s Copa America.
On current form few would bet against the South American giants, who could afford to omit Lionel Messi from their starting line-up following his hat-trick display against Panama.
The match was effectively settled within the first quarter of an hour, with Tottenham Hotspur winger Erik Lamela opening the scoring with a deflected free-kick in the 13th minute.
Two minutes later China-based forward Ezequiel Lavezzi marked his comeback from injury with a goal, volleying home from close range after Gonzalo Higuain’s downward header.
Central defender Victor Cuesta made it 3-0 just after the half-hour, diverting home Lavezzi’ slow cross in the 32nd minute.
In Tuesday’ s other game, Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas both scored twice as Chile advanced with a 4-2 victory over Panama.
Chile recovered from the shock of falling behind to a Miguel Camargo goal after only five minutes, with Vargas scoring twice before Arsenal’s Sanchez grabbed a third in the Group D game.
Sanchez added his second in the 89th minute to complete the scoring.
DUNGA SACKED
Brazil coach Dunga was sacked after the Selecao’s humiliating group-stage elimination from the Copa America Centenario.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said in a statement it had decided to fire Dung a and “dissolve the Brazilian national team’s coaching staff ” following their latest debacle.
After an opening 0-0 draw with Ecuador was followed by a 7-1 win over Haiti, Brazil needed a draw with Peru on Monday to reach the quarter-finals but instead crashed out of the tournament after controversial ly losing 1-0 to a disputed goal.
Speculation had swirled that Dunga was on his way out, but the coach said he was not afraid of the sack. “I am only afraid of death,” Dunga told reporters.
