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MY BEACH SOCCER 
Verdeamarela retains Copa America against combative Mexico and stays on terrific figures in this 2012
Mexico did not manage it either. No one seems able to stop Brazil in this 2012 in which the Verdeamarela seems absolutely resolved to get all the dimension of their name back after a bitter 2011. The Guga-steered Brazilian side got even with a combative Aztecan side and retained the Copa America, a cup no one has found the way to snatch them, to go on with the amusing pace they have been displaying since New Year…
After seeing the stats, it is hard to say whether hitting first in a combat against Brazil is something good, or bad. All the opponents to the Canarinha have managed to do so in this Copa America, and none of them ended up with the desired closure. Mexico did it to, with Giovani López sending a free kick in for the 0-1. But, again, Brazil turned the score around, by means of an inspired Bruno Malias (awarded as the tournament’s MVP) to have things 2-1.
Ramón Raya’s side, as expected, did not give up, giving the hosts no single second to lean back and breathe calmly. Fight, fight and fight, together with a notable know-what when the ball was on their feet was the troublesome formula by the Azteca side to counteract the Brazilian magic. The game was absolutely balanced, and despite André and Jorginho, who gets now just one goal down the 300 hits barrier, managed the 4-2, Cati brought huge excitement to the last minutes with the 4-3. Things went not beyond that point, though, and Brazil kept the VIII edition of the Copa America keeping at the same time their unbeaten record in this year.
Argentina 5(1)-5(0) USA
Argentina and the USA delivered a really entertaining spectacle down at the Hot Park stadium in Rio Quente. Both teams were fighting for the third position, which ended on Argentinea hands after the penalty-kick shootout. The regular time delivered up to ten goals, five for each side, with Levi (2), De Ezeyza, Franceschini and Federico Hilaire scoring for Argentina, and Rodriguez (2), Lawler, Gil and Leopoldo doing it for USA. From the 9 meters, Medero sent his attempt in for Petrasso’s team, something Reyes managed not to do for the North-Americans, thus getting Albiceleste the bronze place in the podium.
VIII Copa America Beach Soccer
Final Standings
Champion – Brazil
Runner-up – Mexico
3rd place – Argentina
Individual awards
MVP: Bruno Malias (Brazil)
Best Goalkeeper: (Mão)
Top Scorer: André and Bruno Malias (Brazil) – 6 goals
