‘Seye Akanmu-Bode
Brazil have won the 2019 edition of the COPA AMERICA by defeating Peru in the final by three goals to one. The Seleçao ,hosting the tournament made sure they won it as they wont whenever they hosted it. Not even Argentina with the imperial Messi could stop them in the Semi final as La Albiceleste succumbed to a 2-0 defeat. A match that would go on to be blighted by the accusation of Messi suggesting a bias for the Brazilian team by the CONMEBOL.
Brazil,looking to end their 12 year drought and focused on winning a 9th COPA began on an intention-manifest note when Sousa ‘Everton’ Soares drew the first blood. Peru however restored parity through a VAR penalty decision with Guerrero slotting the ball past Allison. Brazil would hear none of that as Gabriel Jesus put Brazil back into the lead with a goal in three minutes added time of the first half.
That goal turned out to be an anti-climax for Jesus as he was shown a red card in the 70th minute. Brazil however remained undaunted as they grabbed a 90th minute goal by substitute Richarlison to put the match to bed ,thus confirming the host as the winner of the 2019 COPA AMERICA. A trophy Lionel Messi has not won for his country.
USWNT ARE CHAMPIONS!
The US women national team successfully defended their women world cup title with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over the Oranje ladies of Netherlands.
The USWNT ,playing a third consecutive finals and seeking their fourth trophy left no one in doubt of their aspiration when they created a tournament record with a 13-0 victory over sorry rival,Thailand. 2-1 victories over Spain in the round of 16 ,host France in the quarters and England in the Semi final catapulted the team into their third consecutive finals. After a frenetic first half where the Dutch ladies kept the USWNT at bay with goalkeeper Van Veenendaal making series of world class saves,the USWNT got their lee-way in the 61st minute when controversial skipper Megan Rapinoe scored the first goal via a penalty.
The game was put beyond contest when Rose Lavelle added a quick second in the 69th minute, which condemned the European champions ,making their second world cup appearance to a silver status. Brazil thus became the second team to successfully defend the women’s world cup after Germany in 2007. The triumph also confirmed Jill Ellis as the first coach to a second title.
In this moment of triumph, it is expected that the victorious team would be invited for more garlands by the POTUS,but skipper Rapinoe and some of her team mates have vowed not to honour a White House invite in protest against some President Trump’s policies especially on immigration. Be that as it may,the USWNT left France creating a tournament’s record of 26 goals with Rapinoe winning the golden ball as the best player ,the golden boot as the highest goal scorer with 6 goals and becoming the oldest scorer in a final.
