2004 Copa América Final: Brazil's Penalty Shootout Victory Over Argentina – A Classic Showdown
On July 25, 2004, the Estadio Nacional in Lima, Peru, witnessed one of the most dramatic showdowns in South American football history. In the final of the 41st Copa América, Brazil and Argentina played out a 2-2 draw before Brazil claimed a 4-2 victory in the penalty shootout, lifting the trophy for the seventh time.
Match Progression: From Desperation to Miracle
Argentina took the initiative early, with Luis González converting a penalty in the 20th minute after a foul on Carlos Tevez by Brazilian defender Luizão. Brazil equalized in first-half stoppage time through Luizão's header from a free-kick. Argentina regained the lead in the 82nd minute when substitute Bernardo Romeo volleyed home a cross from Javier Zanetti, but Adriano's last-gasp equalizer in the 90th minute sent the game to penalties.
Penalty Shootout: Goalkeeper Heroics and Mental Warfare
In the shootout, Argentina's Andrés D'Alessandro and Gabriel Heinze missed their spot-kicks, while Brazil's goalkeeper Júlio César made crucial saves to seal the victory. Adriano, who finished as the tournament's top scorer with 7 goals, cemented his legacy with the dramatic late equalizer that became one of Copa América's most iconic moments.
Historical Significance: Breaking the Jinx and Tactical Lessons
The win ended Argentina's dominance in Copa América finals against Brazil (previously 8 wins and 1 draw in 9 meetings) and laid the groundwork for Brazil's future international success. Brazil's resilience and clinical counter-attacking contrasted with Argentina's possession dominance without converting chances, offering a masterclass in tactical balance. The performances of young stars like Ronaldinho (Brazil) and Tevez (Argentina) hinted at the decade-long rivalry to come.
Paulinho's Birthday: From Tottenham Outcast to Barcelona Champion – A Remarkable Comeback Story
Born on July 25, 1988, in São Paulo, Brazil, José Paulo Bezerra Maciel Júnior – better known as Paulinho – carved a legendary career defined by perseverance, transforming from a Premier League discard to a La Liga winner and Chinese Super League icon.
Career Highlights
Corinthians Era (2010-2013): Paulinho rose to prominence, winning the Campeonato Brasileiro (2011), Copa Libertadores (2012), and FIFA Club World Cup (2012), earning a Brazil national team call-up.
Tottenham Struggles (2013-2015): A €20 million move to the Premier League faltered due to tactical misfit and injuries, leading to a €14 million transfer to Guangzhou Evergrande in 2015.
CSL Renaissance (2015-2017, 2018-2021): At Evergrande, he flourished, scoring the winner against Club América in the 2015 Club World Cup and setting a CSL record with a €40 million move to Barcelona in 2017.
Barcelona Glory (2017-2019): Dismissed as a "panic buy," Paulinho became a key midfielder, scoring 9 goals in 21 La Liga games to help Barcelona win the 2017-18 title by 14 points, plus the Copa del Rey.
International Career: Brazil's Midfield Pillar
Paulinho earned 56 caps, scoring 13 goals, featuring in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups. He was pivotal in Brazil's 2013 Confederations Cup triumph (winning the Bronze Ball) and famously shut down Lionel Messi in World Cup qualifiers, while netting a hat-trick against Uruguay to secure Brazil's 2018 World Cup spot.
Style and Legacy
A prototype "Box-to-Box" midfielder, Paulinho combined rugged defending, pinpoint passing, and a knack for late runs into the box. His long-range shooting was lethal – notably a 40-yard free-kick against Kashiwa Reysol in the AFC Champions League. By the time he left Evergrande in 2021, his 74 goals and 29 assists in 176 games made him one of the CSL's greatest imports. He retired in July 2024 at 36, concluding a career spanning four continents.
