I just remembered that I forgot to introduce my tactics. Well, don’t get too excited: I’m using the very same 4-4-2 that took Vauxhall from Blue Square North to the Premier League, you can still download it from here. That said, take a look at Brazil’s eleven: Neymar wasn’t there but the quality of the players was amazing, from the well-known goalie to the very well-known Vauxhall Motors striker… They also had Parana on the bench.
My main concern was that I only had two fit central midfielders but I had a plan: send in Lionel Messi in the second half as an attacking midfielder to create panic in the Brazilian defense. Brace yourselves, here comes the final in the usual «real-time» presentation ;)
Argentina vs Brazil (Copa America Final)
Venue: Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
Attendance: 76,000
Starting line up: Oscar Ustari — Sergio Garcia, Nicolas Otamendi, Guillermo Burdisso, Javier Godoy — Leandro Velasco, Javier Pastore, Ever Banega, Juan Pablo Yavar — Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain
Team Talk: For the fans!
5th minute — Guillermo Burdisso gets a header in on a corner kick, it’s going toward the net… but Zé Carlos clears it off the line! Oh come on lad, you know I’m your manager…
6th minute — Left back Javier Godoy makes a daring run, he’s at the edge of the area… Shoots… tipped over the bar!
7th minute — Burdisso gets in another corner kick header… wide…
8th minute — first shot for Brazil, Robson unleashes a fine volley from the edge of the area but Ustari dives and holds on to the ball.
12th minute — Brazil are coming forward, Pato crosses into the box and Ze Carlos nods it… just over…
13th minute — Amazing run from Ze Carlos, he weaves past the defense and shoots… great save by Ustari who diverts the ball behind for a corner kick.
14th minute — We’re on a counter attack, Leandro Velasco is clean through… but Luis Guilherme denies him with a sensational save!
15th minute — Fine move from my lads, Ever Banega plays it in for Juan Pablo Yavar, he’s unmarked inside the penalty area… but the shot goes wide! That was a huge chance…
16th minute — We’re on a quick counter attack again, Sergio Aguero is behind the defense with only the goalkeeper to beat… he lobs from 20 yards… it’s past the keeper… but hits the post! Ohhh, that should have gone in…
33rd minute — Good move from Brazil, Andre shoots over the bar from a very good position inside the area.
41st minute — Burdisso dominates in the air again on a corner kick, the header is good but the goalkeeper pulls off another good save. And he launches the ball quickly for the counter attack, Andre is clean through but shoots well wide from the edge of the area.
43rd minute — Aguero tries his luck from 20 yards… just wide…
45th minute — Fine move from Brazil, Pato is unmarked but he fires wide from 18 yards.
Now that’s what I call an action-packed first half! :)
Half time score: 0-0
Half time team talk: For the fans!
Half time substitutions: Diego Perotti for Velasco, Angel Di Maria for Yavar
Half time stats
We dominated the first half and had no less than 4 clear cut chances, we should have been leading at half time but we were quite unlucky not to score especially on Aguero‘s lob. Anyway, I decided to change both wingers at the break as they were quite tired, I thought that some fresh legs on the wings were going to make a big difference.
47th minute — Another corner kick header from Burdisso… but this time Pato is the one who clears it off the line…
48th minute — Left back Godoy plays a beautiful back heel pass for Di Maria, the left winger quickly crosses it low for Higuain… and he slides it home at the near post! 1-0! (click here to open the video)
51st minute — Substitute right winger Diego Perotti makes a horrible tackle in midfield… That was totally uncalled for… And it’s a red card! Damn, I shouldn’t have sent him in… My plan was undone, I had to send in Lionel Messi for Banega but my tactic was not a 4-4-2 anymore, it was a 4-3-2 with one central midfielder and two wingers.
53rd minute — Robson fires a fierce free kick shot from 30 yards but Ustari pushes it away.
54th minute — Great move from my boys, Lionel Messi receives the ball and he’s unmarked at six yards… Straight at the keeper! You should have scored from there Leo…
55th minute — Throw-in for Brazil, it’s quite long and it finds Paulo Henrique inside the area… Otamendi‘s marking is terrible, he’s nowhere near the Brazilian player… who powers it in, 1-1… (click here to open the video)
62nd minute — Di Maria tries his luck from an acute angle, great shot but brilliant save from Luis Guilherme…The following corner kick is taken by Messi, Burdisso heads it on across the area to Aguero who nods… into the side netting…
64th minute — Another throw-in creates panic in my defense, there is a player unmarked again who shoots… Ustari parries it but it falls to Ze Carlos… who bangs it in! Oh no, I’m getting beaten by my own players! (click here to open the video)
66th minute — Messi whips in a corner kick, Burdisso manages to get the header in again but the goalkeeper tips it over the bar.
73rd minute — Pato breaks through on a counter attack… but he is stopped by a brilliant Oscar Ustari.
76th minute — Parana was sent in for Brazil and he tries his luck from the edge of the area… tipped over the bar.
83rd minute — Brilliant pass from Messi to Di Maria inside the penalty area… He’s clean through, only the goalkeeper to beat… Huge save from Luis Guilherme… Come on Luis, remember that we’re going to meet at Vauxhall Stadium, who’s your boss?
87th minute — Paulo Henrique has to leave the field because of an injury, Brazil had already made all three substitutions so they are down to 10 men too!
88th minute — Lionel Messi curls in a free kick cross… Otamendi is unmarked inside the six yard box… and heads home! Get in! (click here to open the video)
90th minute + 4 — Deep into stoppage time, Aguero unleashes a great shot but the goalkeeper does it again, immense save… The game is going to extra time.
90 minutes score: 2-2
90 minutes team talk: For the fans!
90 minutes stats
Extra time
99th minute — Di Maria bends in a corner kick, Burdisso reaches the ball first again… but Parana clears off the line!
100th minute — Higuain makes an unbelievable two-footed tackle from behind! Oh no, why did you do that? The referee prepares to show a card… and it’s a red one, we’re down to 9 men and a 4-3-1 tactic…
101st minute — Di Maria makes a great run, he enters the penalty area… but the shot is weak and the goalkeeper easily holds it.
103rd minute — Marcelo makes another foul on Messi and he’s already booked! Come on ref, you know he deserves it! Yes, it’s a second yellow and Brazil are down to 9 men too!
105th minute + 2 — We’re into stoppage time in extra time… Leo Messi plays a great pass for Aguero… he shoots from the edge of the area, it’s going toward the bottom corner… but the goalie pulls off an incredible fingertip save…
105th minute + 3 — Messi bends in the corner kick… Burdisso jumps high again… and heads home! Yes, finally! Get in! (click here to open the video)
— half time in extra time —
106th minute — Fine move from my boys, Pastore plays it through the defense for Di Maria who shoots first time from just inside the area… but it comes back off the upright!
110th minute — Messi displays his skills again, he cuts inside from the right flank and shoots from the edge of the area… parried by the goalkeeper and then cleared out of danger…
117th minute — Sensational run from Di Maria, he crossed from the left flank to Pastore inside the area… he meets it with a diving header… superb goal! Amazing, fantastic, boombastic! :) (click here to open the video)
Man of the match: Lionel Messi
Flop of the match: Diego Perotti
Match Stats
Video Highlights
video
We won the Copa America and I can say that we deserved it as we proved to be the better team throughout the tournament. Lionel Messi was decisive in the final even though he lacks pace these days he still is a fabulous player.
That’s how it was folks, a fabulous tournament I must say as I enjoyed every minute of it. My next goal with Argentina is to win the World Cup in 2022, I will surely miss the likes of Messi or Di Maria by then but there are a few good youngsters that could step up until then. I did make some transfers for Vauxhall too between two games in South America, stay tuned for that post ;)
Sibo
25 июня, 2011 at 21:34
Well done!
You made mincemeat of the early opposition but that was a thrilling final! It will now be interesting to see Argentina without great players like Messi, Higuain and Di Maria, but I’m sure the regens you bring in to replace them will be just as good, if not better! :D
Johnny Karp
25 июня, 2011 at 22:32
Thanks Sibo, it surely was a nailbiting final :) I do have some regens coming up the ranks but I doubt any of them would become better than Messi.
Darren Smith
25 июня, 2011 at 21:57
Wow Johnny, most people would win the trophy with 11 men on the pitch…but you decide to do it with 9 lol :) Simple incredible and an amazing tournament. Your side played the way I have come to expect and that is testament to your tactics. Well done mate.
Johnny Karp
25 июня, 2011 at 22:33
Thanks Darren, I was quite happy to see the team in action with my tactic because the Argentinian players seem to be born for this tactic (great passing, first touch and so on).
Ana Garcia
25 июня, 2011 at 22:01
Ha! What a great final!
Great to see Messi still going strong and you totally outplayed Brazil! Six clear cut chances and you hit the woodwork twice you definatly deserved to win!
I have a strong dislike for Brazil after I was sacked after losing a freindly game against Japan so am doubly happy that you beat them!
Good to see you staying on with Argentina, as its an interesting side story so good luck!! :)
Johnny Karp
25 июня, 2011 at 22:34
Thanks Ana, I’m happy that I avenged your sacking :) I’m staying on out of curiosity, I want to see if we can manage without all the current stars.
Kevin
25 июня, 2011 at 22:02
Hi Johnny
That my friend was a sensational piece of writing especially the final that had me riveted to my seat. Fantastic ending to a great tournament in which you thoroughly deserved to be Copa America Champions!
I hope that doesn’t happen in real life over the next few weeks otherwise I’ll be dealing with a very disgruntled employee :)
Johnny Karp
25 июня, 2011 at 22:36
Thanks Kevin, I’m glad that I managed to pass on some of the tension that I was feeling during the final. Now about the real Copa America, my advice would be to watch out for… Chile! They have some fantastic players and I think they might even go all the way.
Laxeyman
25 июня, 2011 at 22:30
Great tournament Johnny, and what a final! That was probably the most action packed game I’ve seen on FM, congratulations for winning it :) Messi is still brilliant despite his age, and you’ll surely have a tough job replacing him. Looking forward to your Vauxhall transfers as well :)
Johnny Karp
25 июня, 2011 at 22:37
Thanks Laxeyman, I think it was one of the most exciting matches I’ve seen too. I think I’ll call up Messi until he decides to retire, I admire him too much :)
MRDNRA
25 июня, 2011 at 23:26
Wow that is one of the most dramatic finals I have seen. Well done on winning the tournament.
Johnny Karp
26 июня, 2011 at 11:13
Thanks mate, it was one of the best matches I’ve seen in FM 2011.
CsAtlantis
26 июня, 2011 at 02:15
That was a very exciting final but weren’t your team a bit nasty? Injuring two opposition players and getting two straight reds seems a bit too brutal to be compared to Tango Johnny :P
Quite nice to see that Messi is still delivering at 32, might have another World Cup left in him too
Looking forward to seeing your transfers, quite hilarious that a lot of your players were in both teams in the final
Johnny Karp
26 июня, 2011 at 11:15
Thanks CS, I guess the lads were a bit too expansive on that evening since I’ve never seen such brutal behavior from them before. Messi would be 35 years old at the next world cup but if he doesn’t retire until then I will surely bring him along just to say thanks :)
Erick Wolf
26 июня, 2011 at 03:16
Amazing story!
Johnny Karp
26 июня, 2011 at 11:16
Thanks Erick.
vaibhavc
26 июня, 2011 at 08:37
Hey Johnny
I knew that you should have played Messi somewhere in the final! I was thinking about when you were going to bring on Messi the whole final! It was a nail-biting final, and you deserved victory.
Johnny Karp
26 июня, 2011 at 11:18
Thanks Vaibhav. As I said, the plan was to send in Messi later in the game as an attacking midfielder but I was unable to do that given the red card. It worked well however :)
Lye
26 июня, 2011 at 09:40
Hi Johnny,
It was a mouth watering final. The names are too familiar. I have the thought of Vauxhall vs Vauxhall. This was really a classic final with plenty of action and skills. When you are a man down, i am shouting «oh dear» but luckily Brazil like to be copycat. Congratulations on the Copa America win. Can’t wait to see you lifting the World cup.
Johnny Karp
26 июня, 2011 at 11:19
You are right Lye, it did look like Vauxhall vs Vauxhall at some point! :) Thanks for the comment, I’m looking forward to that World Cup although we’ll have to qualify first.
Sears
26 июня, 2011 at 15:34
Trilling final, glad you won although tbh I was fearing the worst following the first red card! I knew you wouldn’t let us down though :-D :-D Congrats!
Johnny Karp
26 июня, 2011 at 18:10
Thanks Sears, I wasn’t hoping for much to be honest at 2-1 and with one man down but the lads really showed great spirit.
Rod
27 июня, 2011 at 05:37
Well, i’ve never posted before in your story but i am following it since the very beggining. And as an argentinian, it was a greaaat greaaaat reading, more than usual :D. Congratulations for your present at Vauxhall and of course with my nation. Last monday i had the opportunity to spend 2 minutes with Messi, he deserves all the admiration in the world. Cheers!
Johnny Karp
27 июня, 2011 at 08:23
Cheers Rodrigo, I’m very happy that I managed to win something with one of the best nations in football. You spent 2 minutes with Messi? I surely envy you! :)