The
1991 edition of the Copa America took place in Chile (during their winter) one
year after the 1990 World Cup. Following the World Cup a wind of change had
taken over the Managerships of the South American Nations, intent on renewing
their fortunes. In fact for the participating Nations of Conmebol only Ecuador
had still retained its Manager from the 1989 Edition (The Yugoslav Dusan
Draskovic).
Since
July was the rainy season in Chile, they had originally suggested the
Tournament to be staged in August or September but Conmebol refused this
request.
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 31, August 1991
|
For
the host Nation Chile, this Copa America took special significance and they had
much riding on it. Chile were barred from participating in the 1994 World Cup
(following the firecracker incident at Rio involving goalkeeper and Captain
Roberto Rojas).
Therefore,
their objective was two-fold. First, this would be their only competitive
Tournament for many years to come and they had to make a positive impression
especially in front of the home fans.
The
second (more ambitious) objective was to win this Tournament with the hope that
FIFA might reverse its decision. They were hoping with a victory, FIFA would
find it hard to ban the best Team in South America from the World Cup. Former
star Carlos Caszely was one of the prominent people hoping for this outcome.
Following
the departure of Orlando Aravena following the Rio incident, former Colo Colo
Manager Arturo Salah was handed the reins on September 1990.
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Photo
From: Historia de la Copa America
|
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Photo
From: Soccer International, Volume 2, Issue 11, November 1991
(The
Copa America trophy)
|
He
had a reputation of being a strict disciplinarian with no sense of humor.
Shortly
before the Tournament, Chilean Club Colo Colo had been victorious in the Copa
Libertadores and that only increased expectations.
Along
with the Colo Colo contingent, Salah had a number of foreign-based players to
call upon none more lethal than the Sevilla based Ivan Zamorano and others such
as Hugo Rubio (St Gallen), Jaime Vera (OFI Crete) and Ivo
Basay (Necaxa).
For
Brazil as well much had changed since the 1989 triumph. Sebastião Lazaroni had
left his post and was managing in Italy (in Fiorentina) amid all the
predictable criticism following Brazil’s elimination at the World Cup.
The
man assigned to lead Brazil to new glories was former AS Roma midfielder and
1982 World Cup standout Paulo Roberto Falcao.
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 31, August 1991
(Opening
Ceremony)
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Photo
From: Historia de la Copa America
(Opening
Ceremony)
|
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Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 17, 1991
(Opening
Ceremony)
|
He
had selected many home-based players in his attempt to win back the public, but
his results had mostly been mediocre.
He
was attempting to build a team around new Captain and Corinthians midfielder
Jose Neto.
Many
of the foreign-based players were discarded and or refused to participate.
These
included the likes of Antonio Careca (Napoli), Romario (PSV Eindhoven) and
Julio Cesar (Juventus).
There
was a specter of negativity around the Brazil side following the disappointment
of the World Cup with many negative stories regarding the behavior and lack of
professionalism of some of the players involved during the World Cup.
As
a result, the Brazilian players were forced by their Federation to sign a
written declaration for a set of directives, such as conduct themselves with
‘exemplary behavior’, wake and sleep at the designated hours and eat whatever
told and ask permission for interviews and no meetings with agents/impresarios.
On
July 3rd, just days before the start of the Tournament, the 1989
Copa America star Bebeto walked out of the team as he was fed up with Falcao,
who would not guarantee him a position in the Team. Furthermore, Bebeto accused
Falcao of treating him like a newcomer instead of an established player that he
had become.
In
the end, Falcao took along only a handful of players from abroad: goalkeeper
Claudio Taffarel (Parma), Iomar Mazinho (Lecce and on his way to Fiorentina),
Claudio Branco (Genoa) and Joao Paulo (Bari).
After
eight years of Carlos Bilardo, Argentina’s man in charge was Alfio Basile. In
contrast to his predecessor, Basile advocated a more attacking adventurous
style of play.
He
had built a solid team from scratch in friendlies with many newcomers such as
Dario Franco, Nestor Craviotto, Claudio Garcia, Leonardo Astrada and Diego
Simeone among others.
The
squad had recently been on Tour in Europe and had participated in the ‘England
Challenge Cup’ and left a positive impression. (for more detail, see: http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2016/06/tournaments-part-5-england-challenge.html)
From
the old guard, he maintained, Argentina’s hero of 1990 World Cup goalkeeper
Sergio Goyoechea, defender Oscar Ruggeri and Claudio Caniggia.
He
would be without Diego Maradona, who just months earlier, had been suspended
for a failing a Drug Test in the Italian Serie A. In any case it would have
been doubtful that he would have participated. Basile had appointed Oscar
Ruggeri as Captain and he would remain so during Maradona’s lengthy absence.
There
were only two foreign-based players in Basile’s squad: Claudio Caniggia
(Atalanta) and Diego Simeone (Pisa).
The
new star of the team was Boca Juniors’ Diego Latorre. He was already being
groomed as the ‘next Diego’ and was set to join Fiorentina in the upcoming
season (more on that later…).
Colombia
had also parted ways with their Manager Francisco Maturana following the 1990
World Cup.
Maturana’s
former Assistant, Hernan Dario Gomez, was the first to be approached but he
refused, choosing to stay with Atletico Nacional Medellin.
The
Colombian Federation President Leon Londono then short listed three candidates
for the vacant position: Gabriel Ochoa, Diego Unama and Luis Augusto Garcia.
Luis
Augusto Garcia was appointed to build up on the success of recent years (It was
said that Maturana himself preferred Garcia).
The
squad was relatively intact. The squad was built around the talents of Carlos
Valderrama in midfield and the eccentricities of goalkeeper Rene Higuita. Other
key players such as Leonel Alvarez, Freddy Rincon and Andres Escobar were still
integral parts of the National Team set-up.
Before
Colombia’s departure, Rene Higuita had visited Drug Kingpin Pablo Escobar in
prison. When asked about it, Higuita responded that he wanted to visit ‘all
prisoners’.
For
Uruguay, the change of Regime brought problems with it. The new Manager Luis
Cubilla had clashed with the foreign-based players.
The
foreign-based stars such as Enzo Francescolli, Carlos Aguilera, Ruben Sosa and
Daniel Fonseca and others would boycott the National Team as a result. This
self-imposed exile would only be resolved in 1993.
In
the meantime, Cubilla had selected and insisted upon a home-based squad. He
even cut Ruben Pereira from his squad after the player had signed with Italian
side Cremonese.
Cubilla
had also wanted Ruben da Silva (River plate), but he was also on the verge of
signing for Cremonese, he called up Gustavo Ferreira instead.
It
would be a young and inexperienced Uruguay side that would participate.
Paraguay,
Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela rounded out the participants.
Ecuador
had wanted to play a friendly while in Chile; however, Conmebol refused all
friendlies five days before the competition.
Uruguay
and Venezuela were the only nations without any foreign-based players.
The
format of the 1991 Copa was identical to the 1989 Edition. The ten teams would be separated in two
Groups of five teams. They would play one another in a round-robin format. The
top two teams in each Group would then be placed in a Final Group of four teams
(once again round-robin) and the winner would be decided on points.
In
Group A, Chile were grouped with Argentina, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela. The
matches would take place in Santiago’s Estadio Nacional and
Concepción’s
Estadio Regional.
The
first round of matches in this Group took place on July 6th at Santiago’s Estadio Nacional.
Chile hosted Venezuela and comfortably defeated
them (2-0). The goals were scored with two headers by Eduardo Vilches (22nd
minute) and Ivan Zamorano (34th minute).
Many felt Chile should have scored more goals and
there were criticisms of Chilean Manager Arturo Salah for not entering Ivo
Basay as a third striker to partner Rubio and Zamorano.
Ruben
Espinoza was sent off near the end and would be suspended from Chile’s next
matches in the Group.
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Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 17, 1991
(July
6, 1991, Copa America, Chile 2-Venezuela 0)
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Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 17, 1991
(July
6, 1991, Copa America, Chile 2-Venezuela 0)
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Photo
From: Triunfo No 265 8-07-1991
(July
6, 1991, Copa America, Chile 2-Venezuela 0)
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Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3745, 1991
(July
6, 1991, Copa America, Chile 2-Venezuela 0)
|
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Photo
From: Triunfo Nº265 08-07-1991
(July
6, 1991, Copa America, Chile 2-Venezuela 0)
|
Afterwards,
Paraguay faced Peru and defeated them (1-0). Luis Monzon scored the winner in
the 21st minute.
Peru
did have chances and many felt a tie would have been a fairer result.
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Photo
From: Triunfo Nº265 08-07-1991
(July
6, 1991, Copa America, Paraguay 1-Peru 0)
|
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 2362, July 16, 1991
(July
6, 1991, Copa America, Paraguay 1-Peru 0)
|
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Photo
From: Don Balon (Copa America 1991)
(Luis
Monzon, July 6, 1991, Copa America, Paraguay 1-Peru 0)
|
The
next round of matches in the Group was two days later on July 8th.
At Concepción’s Estadio Regional, Chile hosted Peru and showed more of an
attacking poise in defeating them (4-2).
Hugo
Rubio opened the scoring in the 16th minute, taking advantage of an
error in Peru’s marking.
Jorge
Contreras doubled the lead in the 51st minute from the penalty spot.
Peru
pulled a goal back in the 59th minute through 18-year old Flavio
Maestri.
Maestri’s
Copa America would be over just over twenty minutes later after he was injured
(and replaced by Cesar Eduardo Rodríguez).
Just
two minutes later, Chile scored their third. Ivan Zamorano headed in a header
from a cross from the right.
Jose
Del Solar scored another goal Peru in the 71st minute, but three
minutes later Chile scored their fourth once again through Zamorano, heading in
a cross from the right side.
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Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 17, 1991
(July
8, 1991, Copa America, Chile 4-Peru 2)
|
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Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 24, 1991
(July
8, 1991, Copa America, Chile 4-Peru 2)
|
On
the same day at Santiago’s Estadio Nacional, Argentina made its
debut in the Copa America.
Argentina
were missing defender Carlos Enrique. He had been sent off in Argentina’s
friendly vs. Brazil on June 27th, 1991 (1-1 tie) and was suspended
for Argentina’s matches vs. Venezuela and Chile.
Néstor
Oscar Craviotto would start in his
place.
It
was in this friendly that Gabriel Batistuta had made his debut for Argentina.
In
this match vs. Venezuela (his second cap) a new star would be born as Batistuta
scored two goals in the (3-0) win.
He
opened the scoring in the 28th minute.
Argentina
doubled the lead in the 43rd minute with a header by Claudio
Caniggia.
Batistuta
scored Argentina’s third on a penalty kick in the 50th minute.
While
Batistuta had taken advantage of the opportunity provided to him, the same
could not be said of his Boca Juniors partner Diego Latorre.
The
man who was hyped to lead the new Argentina revival was a shadow of his former
self and struggled (Basile would later state that he was exhausted after a long
season).
Latorre
was replaced in the 79th minute by Leonardo Adrián Rodríguez.
Rodriguez, by his own admission, had not expected to see much action in this
Copa, but he would remain and star in the side and be one of the surprises of
this Copa along with Batistuta.
Batistua’s
form had been so impressive that there were already reports of a link to Serie
A’s Hellas Verona (in the end he went elsewhere..).
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Photo
From: Triunfo No 268 29-07-1991
(Gabriel
Batistuta, July 8, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Venezuela 0)
|
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Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 17, 1991
(July
8, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Venezuela 0)
|
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Photo
From: Don Balon (Copa America 1991)
(July
8, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Venezuela 0)
|
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Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3744, 1991
(July
8, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Venezuela 0)
|
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Photo
From: World Soccer, November 1991
(Diego
Latorre, July 8, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Venezuela 0)
|
The
next round of matches in this Group took place two days later, July 10th, at Santiago.
Paraguay predictably defeated Venezuela (5-0) with
goals by Gutavo Neffa (34th minute), Carlos Guirland (38th minute), Luis Monzón
(75th and 87th penalty kick) and Vidal Sanabria (81st minute).
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Photo
From: World Soccer, August 1991
(July
10, 1991, Copa America, Paraguay 5-Venezuela 0)
|
That same day, the big clash of the Group place at
Estadio Nacional as Chile hosted Argentina.
It
was a closely fought match that was only decided with less than ten minutes
remaining.
Batistuta
scored for the second match in a row to earn Argentina an important victory.
Once
again Arturo Salah’s reluctance to include three strikers was criticized, as
the public were clamoring for Patricio Yanez.
Ivan
Zamorano was ineffective as Ruggeri virtually marked him out of the game.
Néstor
Oscar Craviotto once again deputized
for Carlos Enrique and just like the previous match Rodriguez replaced Latorre
(this time at the start of the second half).
This was Latorre’s last chance and from then on
Rodriguez would be the starter.
The next round of matches in this Group took place two days later, July 12th.
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Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 24, 1991
(July
10, 1991, Copa America, Chile 0-Argentina 1)
|
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Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 24, 1991
(July
10, 1991, Copa America, Chile 0-Argentina 1)
|
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Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3745, 1991
(July
10, 1991, Copa America, Chile 0-Argentina 1)
|
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Photo
From: Triunfo No 268 29-07-1991
(July
10, 1991, Copa America, Chile 0-Argentina 1)
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Photo
From: World Soccer, August 1991
(July
10, 1991, Copa America, Chile 0-Argentina 1)
|
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Photo
From: World Soccer, August 1991
(July
10, 1991, Copa America, Chile 0-Argentina 1)
|
The next round of matches in this Group took place two days later, July 12th.
At
Santiago, Peru comfortably defeated Venezuela (5-1) with goals by Eugenio La
Rosa (9th, 55th minutes), Cesar Eduardo Rodríguez (21st
minute), Jose Del Solar (58th minute), Jorge Hirano (62nd minute) and Venezuela
scored through Miguel Echenausi (14th minute).
On the same day at Concepción, the new confident Argentina
displayed one of its best performances in defeating Paraguay (4-1).
Argentina
now had Carlos Enrique back in defense and Leonel Rodriguez was a starter.
It
would be a masterful performance from Rodriguez and Caniggia, who had a hand in
all of Argentina’s goals.
Gabriel
Batistuta opened the scoring in the 40th minute. Diego Simeone
doubled the lead in the 61st minute. Leonardo Astrada scored
Argentina’s third in the 70th minute.
Paraguay
pulled a goal back in the 79th minute through Jose Cardozo.
Claudio
Caniggia capped off a memorable personal performance by scoring the fourth and
final goal in the 81st minute.
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Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3745, 1991
(July
12, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 4-Paraguay 1)
|
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Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3745, 1991
(July
12, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 4-Paraguay 1)
|
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Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3745, 1991
(July
12, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 4-Paraguay 1)
|
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Photo
From: Triunfo No 268 29-07-1991
(July
12, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 4-Paraguay 1)
|
The
final round of matches in the Group took place two days later on July 14th.
Argentina
having already qualified rested most of its first teamers and included many of
its reserves against Peru.
This
gave a chance for the last outing of Diego Latorre with the National Team (he
captained the side in Ruggeri’s absence).
In
addition to Latorre, other players to get a rare chance to play were substitute
goalkeeper Alejandro Lanari (his debut), Ricardo Altamirano, Fernando Gamboa, Gustavo Zapata,
Blas Giunta, Antonio Mohamed, Claudio
Garcia and Ramon Medina Bello.
Latorre gave Argentina the lead by scoring in the
third minute; Peru tied the match in the 35th minute through a
penalty kick by Orlando
Yáñez.
Argentina
took the lead once more in the 51st minute through a Nestor
Craviotto header and scored their third six minutes later through Claudio
Garcia.
Jorge
Hirano pulled another goal back for Peru, taking advantage of a poor back pass
by Craviotto.
Argentina
won its fourth straight matches in the Group.
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Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3745, 1991
(Cartoon
showing the Argentina reserves playing vs. Peru, July 14, 1991, Copa America,
Argentina 3-Peru 2)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 36, January 1992
(Antonio
Mohamed, July 14, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Peru 2)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 36, January 1992
(Diego
Latorre, July 14, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Peru 2)
|
The
Chilean hosts had to defeat Paraguay in their Final match to advance to the
Final round.
For
the first time Arturo Salah lined up three strikers to achieve this goal.
The
Chileans played one of their finest matches and deservedly defeated the
Paraguayans (4-0).
Hugo
Rubio (12th minute) and Ivan Zamorano (15th) scored early
to get Chile on their way. Fabian Estay (63rd minute) and Jaime Vera
(68th minute) completed the rout.
Argentina
and Chile qualified to the Final Group round from the Group A.
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Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 24, 1991
(July
14, 1991, Copa America, Chile 4-Paraguay 0)
|
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Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 24, 1991
(July
14, 1991, Copa America, Chile 4-Paraguay 0)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 31, August 1991
(July 14, 1991, Copa America, Chile
4-Paraguay 0)
|
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Photo
From: Triunfo No 266 15-07-1991
(July
14, 1991, Copa America, Chile 4-Paraguay 0)
|
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Photo
From: Triunfo No 266 15-07-1991
(July
14, 1991, Copa America, Chile 4-Paraguay 0)
|
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Photo
From: Triunfo No 266 15-07-1991
(July 14, 1991, Copa America, Chile 4-Paraguay
0) |
The
Group B contained Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay and Bolivia. The matches
were played in Valparaíso’s Estadio Playa Ancha and Viña del Mar’s Estádio Sausalito.
This
Group started its matches on July 7th at Valparaiso with Colombia
facing Ecuador and Uruguay taking on Bolivia.
The
matches in this Group were tighter than the other Group.
Colombia
defeated Ecuador (1-0) through a strike by Anthony de Avila (25th
minute) that Ecuadorian goalkeeper Erwin Ramirez should really have handled.
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Photo
From: Historia de la Copa America
(July
7, 1991, Copa America, Colombia 1-Ecuador 0)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 36, January 1992
(July
7, 1991, Copa America, Colombia 1-Ecuador 0)
|
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Photo
From: Triunfo No 267 22-07-1991
(July
7, 1991, Copa America, Colombia 1-Ecuador 0)
|
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Photo
From: World Soccer, August 1991
(July
7, 1991, Copa America, Colombia 1-Ecuador 0)
|
The
Uruguay and Bolivia match ended in a tie (1-1). Juan Berthy Suárez gave Bolivia
the lead in the 16th minute. Uruguay’s Ramon Castro tied the match
in the 73rd minute.
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Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 17, 1991
(July
7, 1991, Copa America, Uruguay 1-Bolivia 1)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 36, January 1992
(Bolivia’s
Marco Antonio Etcheverry, July 7, 1991, Copa America, Uruguay 1-Bolivia 1)
|
The
next round of matches in the Group took place two days later on July 9th
at Viña del Mar.
The
Uruguay and Ecuador ended in a (1-1) tie. Alex Aguinaga had given Ecuador the
lead just before halftime. Four minutes into the second half, Uruguay tied the
score through a Peter Méndez penalty kick.
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Photo
From: Photo From: World Soccer, August 1991
(July
9, 1991, Copa America, Uruguay 1-Ecuador 1)
|
On
the same day, Brazil made its debut in the Copa America by taking on Bolivia.
Brazil
were victorious (2-1) with goals by Neto (5th minute penalty kick)
and a Claudio Branco free kick in the 47th minute.
Bolivia
pulled one goal back in the 90th minute through an Erwin Sanchez
penalty kick.
The
next round of matches in the Group took place two days later on July 11th
at Viña del Mar.
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Photo
From: World Soccer, August 1991
(July
9, 1991, Copa America, Brazil 2-Bolivia 1)
|
Colombia
and Bolivia played one another to a scoreless tie.
On
the same day, Brazil faced Uruguay (the 1989 Champion and runner-up).
Joao Paulo gave Brazil the lead in the 39th
minute. Uruguay tied the score through a Peter Mendez strike (Uruguay’s third
straight tie).
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Photo
From: Don Balon (Copa America 1991)
(Mauro
Silva, July 11, 1991, Copa America, Brazil 1-Uruguay 1)
|
The
next round of matches in the Group took place two days later on July 13th.
Ecuador
defeated Bolivia (4-0) through strikes by Alex Aguinaga (32nd minute),
Ney Raúl Avilés (42nd, 73rd minutes) and
goalkeeper Erwin Ramírez scored from the spot in the 80th minute.
Bolivia
were not helped by Eduardo Jiguchi’s sending off in the 63rd minute,
nor Erwin Sanchez’s missed penalty kick in the 60th minute.
On
the same day, in an upset, Colombia defeated Brazil (2-0) to increase the
pressure on Paulo Roberto Falcao.
Anthony
de Avila gave Colombia the lead in the 35th minute and Arnold
Iguaran doubled the lead in the 66th minute. Carlos Valderrama was
instrumental in both goals as the more technical Colombians outplayed the more
physical Brazilians.
Neto’s
influence in Brazil’s game was waning and he was substituted in the second half
by Luiz Henrique.
In
the post match Press conference; Brazilian journalists started quarrelling with
Falcao and the players. This led Falcao to ban the Brazilian Press from
post-match conferences.
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Photo
From: Don Balon (Copa America 1991)
(July
13, 1991, Copa America, Colombia 2-Brazil 0)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 31, August
1991
(July
13, 1991, Copa America, Colombia 2-Brazil 0)
|
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Photo
From: Triunfo No 268 29-07-1991
(July
13, 1991, Copa America, Colombia 2-Brazil 0)
|
The
Final Round of matches in the Group took place two days later on July 15th.
This
group was still up to grabs with no team guaranteed to absence.
Uruguay
inflicted on Colombia its first loss (1-0) through a Peter Mendez strike in the
19th minute. It was also Uruguay’s first win.
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Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 24, 1991
(July
15, 1991, Copa America, Uruguay 1-Colombia 0)
|
However,
it was too little too late, as Brazil’s win (3-1) over Ecuador qualified them
along with Colombia to the Final Group.
Following
Uruguay’s win, Brazil needed to win by two clear goals to advance.
Brazil
took the lead in the 8th minute through Mazinho II (he would be sent
off just 12 minutes later).
Ecuador
tied the score in the 12th minute through Carlos
Muñoz.
Brazil needing to win scored twice in the
second half. In the 54th minute, Marcio Santos gave Brazil the lead
and just before the end Luíz Henrique scored in dramatic fashion to give Brazil a two-goal
cushion to qualify to the next round.
Brazil
Captain Neto was once again substituted and was slowly losing his spot in the
team.
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Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 24, 1991
(July
15, 1991, Copa America, Brazil 3-Ecuador 1)
|
The
Final Group matches were all played at Santiago’s Estadio
Nacional.
The
hosts Chile along with traditional powers Brazil and Argentina made it along
Colombia.
On
July 17th, Brazil and Argentina faced one another in the most ill
tempered match of the Tournament that saw five sending offs.
Many
felt this was anger carried over form the friendly between the Nations on June
27th that had also been as violent.
Claudio
Caniggia and Iomar Mazinho (31st minute) and Marcio Santos and
Carlos Enrique (61st minute) were given their marching orders.
Later
Brazil’s Careca III was sent off as well in the 77th minute (….after
coming on as a substitute in the 75th minute).
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Photo
From: Don Balon (Copa America 1991)
(July
17, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Brazil 2)
|
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Photo
From: Don Balon (Copa America 1991)
(July
17, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Brazil 2)
|
Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3746, 1991
(July
17, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Brazil 2)
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, August 1991
(July
17, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Brazil 2)
|
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Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3746, 1991
(July
17, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Brazil 2)
|
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Photo
From: Historia de la Copa America
(July
17, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Brazil 2)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 31, August 1991
(July
17, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Brazil 2)
|
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Photo
From: Triunfo No 268 29-07-1991
(July
17, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Brazil 2)
|
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Photo
From: World Soccer, July 1993
(July
17, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 3-Brazil 2)
|
Afterwards,
Branco stated that Ruggeri was more of a boxer than a footballer.
Caniggia
complained that he got hit and kicked all the time and when he hit back once he
got sent off.
Argentina
Manager Alfio Basile felt the attacks on his players were unjustified. He said
his players were no angels but he was sick and tired of always being blamed for
the violence.
Amidst
the violence, Leonel Rodriguez once again gave a masterful performance and
created all three goals.
Dario
Franco scored twice on headers. His first goal was after 40 seconds and was the
fastest goal of these games.
Branco
tied the match for Brazil with yet another free kick in the 6th
minute.
Dario
Franco scored his second on a header in the 40th minute and
Batistuta scored his fifth goal of the Tournament in the 46th minute
(also on a header).
Joao
Paulo pulled one goal back for Brazil in the 53rd minute.
Neither
side was satisfied with the officiating and on the following day (July 18th),
Brazil submitted a formal protest about Paraguayan Referee Carlos Maciel for
his handling of their match with Argentina.
There
had been a conspiracy theory that Conmebol wanted players from Chile’s rivals
to be sent off to ease the path for the hosts to win.
According
to this theory, Conmebol wanted Chile to be pardoned to participate in the 1994
World Cup qualifiers.
As
a result, Conmebol President, the Paraguayan Nicolas Leoz had ‘given’
instructions to Paraguayan Referee Carlos Maciel.
On
the following day, According to Argentina Captain Oscar Ruggeri (his nose
bandaged after being punched by Careca III), Maciel had confided him that he
had received instructions from above. Carlos Maciel denied Ruggeri’s claims.
The
Paraguayan linesman Jose Escobar was also booed during the match and called
“ladron” (thief) because of the way he had officiated the Brazil –Ecuador (by
‘allowing’ Brazil to score near the end for a better goal average).
In
the end, Caniggia and Mazinho were suspended for one match and Carlos Enrique
for three matches. Chileans felt that the suspensions of Caniggia and Mazinho
were not severe enough, since Chile’s Ruben Espinoza had been suspended for
more matches after his sending off in the first round.
On
the same day, Chile took on Colombia and missed its chance to keep pace.
In
contrast to their impressive display vs. Paraguay, Chile were poor and unimaginative
vs. Colombia.
Chile
missed the chance to go ahead in the 31st minute, as Rene Higuita
saved Ivan Zamorano’s penalty kick.
Minutes
later in the 37th minute, Colombia took the lead through Arnoldo
Iguaran.
Chile
leveled the score through Zamorano in the 74th minute.
 |
Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 31, 1991
(Rene Higuita saving Ivan Zamorano’s penalty
kick, July 17,
1991, Copa America, Chile 1-Colombia 1)
|
 |
Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 31, 1991
(Team captains Jaime Pizarro and Carlos
Valderrama, July
17, 1991, Copa America, Chile 1-Colombia 1)
|
 |
Photo
From: Don Balon (Copa America 1991)
(Carlos Valderrama and Jaime Pizarro, July 17, 1991, Copa America,
Chile 1-Colombia 1)
|
The
next round of matches was two days later on July 19th as Chile
hosted Argentina and Brazil took on Colombia.
Both
matches were played under heavy rain that affected the players’ form and
conditions.
Argentina
drafted Ricardo Altamirano and Ramon Medina Bello to cover for the suspended
duo: Carlos Enrique and Claudio Caniggia.
Chile
had Ruben Espinoza back from suspension in place of Gabriel Mendoza.
The
match ended in a scoreless tie that served Argentina better as Chile needed to
win to have any chance of lifting the Copa.
The
hosts were further hampered by the sending off of Patricio Yanez in the 41st
minute after a foul on Sergio Vazquez. The playing conditions were so appalling
that according to Alfio Basile the match was “closer to water polo than
football”.
 |
Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 31, 1991
(July
19, 1991, Copa America, Chile 0-Argentina 0)
|
 |
Photo
From: Historia de la Copa America
(July
19, 1991, Copa America, Chile 0-Argentina 0)
|
 |
Photo
From: Triunfo No 268 29-07-1991
(July
19, 1991, Copa America, Chile 0-Argentina 0)
|
In
the Colombia-Brazil match, the rain would be detrimental to Colombia’s ‘Toque’
style and Brazil took advantage.
Brazil
took the lead through Renato Gaucho in the 29th minute. The goal and
the weather conditions forced Colombia to abandon its style and to play in a
more British style that they were unaccustomed to.
Brazil
scored their second on a penalty kick by Branco in the 61st minute.
Afterwards,
Carlos Valderrama declared that playing under those conditions was a scandal.
He added that once again for the authorities, financial interests had taken
precedence over the spectacle.
Colombia’s
disappointed Coach Luis Augusto Garcia almost came to blows with a persistent
Chilean journalist.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 31, August 1991
(Renato
Gaucho, July 19, 1991, Copa America, Brazil 2-Colombia 0)
|
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, October 1991
(Ricardo
Rocha, July 19, 1991, Copa America, Brazil 2-Colombia 0)
|
The
final round of matches took place two days later on July 21st.
First
Chile hosted Brazil, knowing that even a victory might not be enough as
Argentina had a one-point advantage.
In
the end Brazil won (2-0) with two headers from corner kicks by Mazinho II (8th
minute) and Luiz Henrique (56th minute).
In
the second half, Arturo Salah had sent on Ivo Basay as an extra attacker but it
did not help.
Brazil
had yet another player sent off (this time Branco in the 69th
minute).
 |
Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 31, 1991
(July
21, 1991, Copa America, Chile 0-Brazil 2)
|
 |
Photo
From: Soccer International, Volume 2, Issue 11, November 1991
(Captains Jaime Pizarro and Ricardo Rocha, July 21, 1991, Copa America,
Chile 0-Brazil 2)
|
 |
Photo
From: Triunfo No 267 22-07-1991
(July
21, 1991, Copa America, Chile 0-Brazil 2)
|
 |
Photo
From: Triunfo No 267 22-07-1991
(July
21, 1991, Copa America, Chile 0-Brazil 2)
|
Argentina
started their match with Colombia with the advantage of the extra point and the
knowledge of the Chile-Brazil result.
In
any case, there was virtually no suspense after 20 minutes as Argentina had
raced to a two-goal lead and once again with Rodriguez in the middle of it all.
Diego
Simeone headed in Argentina’s fist goal in the 11th minute and
Gabriel Batistuta scored in the 19th minute to double Argentina’s
lead.
This
was Batistuta’s sixth goal and he ended as the top goalscorer of the Copa
America.
Anthony
de Avila pulled one goal back for Colombia in the 70th minute, but
Argentina were never in danger and deservedly won their first Copa America in
32 years (the last victory was in 1959).
Argentina
Captain Oscar Ruggeri joined a select group of players to have won the World
Cup as well as the Copa America.
According
to Basile, Argentina were deserved winners as they had played against every
possible style of football and won in tough, balanced games and gaining 13 out
of 14 points in the process.
No
one could argue with his assessment as the best team had won.
 |
Photo
From: Deporte Total, July 31, 1991
(July
21, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 2-Colombia 1)
|
 |
Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3746, 1991
(July
21, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 2-Colombia 1)
|
 |
Photo
From: France Football, Issue 2363, July 23, 1991
(Luis
Perea and Claudio Caniggia, July 21, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 2-Colombia
1)
|
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, November 1991
(Leonel
Rodriguez, July 21, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 2-Colombia 1)
|
 |
Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3746, 1991
(Oscar
Ruggeri holding the trophy, July 21, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 2-Colombia
1)
|
By all
accounts, the 1991 Copa America was regarded to be successful.
As
far as the coverage, it was estimated that over 1800 Journalists had covered
the matches.
The
matches had been telecast to 62 Nations.
The
attendance at the matches and the spectacle on the pitch had also been
positive.
An
estimated 450,000 fans had watched the matches with $2.4 Million Dollars in
gate receipts. Given expenses of $2 Million Dollars, the profit was in the
region of $400,000 (in some sources it was estimated $500,000).
This
was the largest profit in the history of the Tournament (30% of this profit was
kept by Chile and the rest went to Conmebol).
Brazilian
firm Traffic had paid $1.7 million US Dollars for Television rights. Chilean organizers kept 10%, and after
expenses, the rest of the money was used for prize money: Argentina ($240,000),
Brazil ($200,000), Chile ($160,000), Colombia ($130,000) and the rest of the
Nations received $100,000 each.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 31, August 1991
(Oscar
Ruggeri holding the trophy, July 21, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 2-Colombia
1)
|
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, September 1991
(Oscar
Ruggeri holding the trophy, July 21, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 2-Colombia
1)
|
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, August 1991
(Oscar
Ruggeri holding the trophy, July 21, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 2-Colombia
1)
|
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, July 1993
(Oscar
Ruggeri holding the trophy, July 21, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 2-Colombia
1)
|
There
were some minor complaints. The Police treatment of some fans was questioned.
Some felt the Press boxes were somewhat deficient. In addition live of
transmission of matches blocked and brought to a stand still the cities where
the match was being played at. The populace in the streets would disperse to
watch the match on Television.
But
in general, Chile was credited for its otherwise good organization of the
Tournament. It had been a sharp improvement from the 1987 and 1989 Editions.
On
the playing front, Argentina’s positive approach after nearly a decade of
rugged defensive tactics was a breath of fresh air.
A
new global star was born. Gabriel Batistuta would go on and write some of the
best pages in the history of the game.
This
Copa had shown that Argentina had a large young reservoir of talent to call
upon.
Batistuta
would be on his way to Fiorentina, ahead of unlucky teammate Latorre, who
stayed back for another year at Boca Juniors (loaned back).
His
poor performance in the Copa had given the Italians food for fought and they
had instead snapped up Batistuta that many had never heard of before the
competition.
Argentina’s
other star of the Tournament Leonel Rodriguez would also be on his way to
Europe. Bernard Tapie’s Olympique Marseille signed him and immediately loaned
him to French club Toulon.
The
Chilean hosts also gave a fair account of themselves despite failing somewhat
short of their objectives.
Their
pleas to participate in the 1994 World Cup qualifiers fell on death ears and
they could only forward to the next Copa America in 1993.
In
addition to the confirmation of Zamorano’s talent, the hosts’ new discoveries
included Fabian Estay and Gabriel Mendoza.
Other
new discoveries included the Uruguayan pair of Edgar Borges and Marcelo
Fracchia, the Bolivian Marco Antonio Etcheverry, Peru’s Jose Del Solar and
Percy Olivares and Venezuela’s Stalin Rivas.
Brazil
were the greatest disappointment and still appeared to be mired in the
post-elimination depression from the last World Cup.
Their
discipline also came into question as a record number of five players were sent
off in the Copa (three in the violent clash with Argentina).
Ultimately
Neto followed his 1989 predecessor Geovani as Brazil’s would-be superstar that
eventually crashed.
 |
Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3746, 1991
(July
21, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 2-Colombia 1)
|
 |
Photo
From: Triunfo No 267 22-07-1991
(Argentina players with the trophy, July 21,
1991, Copa America, Argentina 2-Colombia 1) |
 |
Photo
From: Triunfo No 267 22-07-1991
(Argentina players with the trophy, July 21,
1991, Copa America, Argentina 2-Colombia 1) |
 |
Photo
From: El Grafico, Historia de la seleccion Argentina, 1986-1991
(Oscar
Ruggeri and Alfio Basile with the trophy, July 21, 1991, Copa America,
Argentina 2-Colombia 1)
|
 |
Photo
From: Triunfo No 268 29-07-1991
(Oscar
Ruggeri and Alfio Basile with the trophy, July 21, 1991, Copa America,
Argentina 2-Colombia 1)
|
 |
Photo
From: Triunfo No 268 29-07-1991
(Argentina
players with the trophy, July 21, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 2-Colombia 1)
|
 |
Photo
From: Triunfo No 268 29-07-1991
(Alfio
Basile with the trophy, July 21, 1991, Copa America, Argentina 2-Colombia 1)
|
The
only bright spots for Brazil were Joao Paulo and to some extent Mazinho,
Ricardo Rocha and Branco.
Falcao’s
sacking appeared imminent despite his public intention to remain at his post.
However, before the Final Group phase had been played, a Brazilian Official had
been heard saying that Falcao would be on his way out irrespective of the Final
position.
On
August 20th, 1991, Falcao was sacked as national team manager.
This
would be the last Copa America with this Group format. For the 1993 Edition, Conmebol decided to
include two guests from Concacaf (USA and Mexico) to liven up the competition
(and of course more revenue).
The
format of the 1993 Edition would be more traditional with a first phase of
round robin groups followed by the Quarterfinals, Semifinals and a Final.
Note:
1-Journalists
selected the following All-Star Team:
Patricio
Toledo (Chile), Oscar Ruggeri (Argentina), Ricardo Rocha (Brazil), Claudio
Branco (Brazil), Leonel Alvarez (Colombia), Marco Antonio Etcheverry (Bolivia),
Leonel Rodriguez (Argentina), Carlos Valderrama (Colombia), Claudio Caniggia
(Argentina), Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina), Ivan Zamorano (Chile)
Reserve:
Sergio
Goycoechea (Argentina), Claudio Taffarel (Brazil), Fabian Basualdo (Argentina),
Holger Quinonez (Ecuador), Jose del Solar (Peru), Felipe Revelez (Uruguay),
Diego Simeone, Luis Monzon (Paraguay), Dario Franco (Argentina), Jorge Hirano
(Peru), Anthony de Avila (Colombia), Joao Paulo (Brazil)
2-Another
Group of Journalists had selected the following All-Star Team:
Patricio
Toledo (Chile), Fabian Basualdo (Argentina), Oscar Ruggeri (Argentina), Luis Carlos Perea (Colombia), Holger Quinonez (Ecuador), Leonel Rodriguez
(Argentina), Mazinho II (Brazil), Carlos Valderrama (Colombia), Leonel Alvarez
(Colombia), Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina), Patricio Yanez (Chile)
3-Another
Team of Tournament from Don Balon (Copa America 1991):
Claudio
Taffarel (Brazil), Fabian Basualdo (Argentina), Oscar Ruggeri (Argentina),
Ricardo Rocha (Brazil), Claudio Branco (Brazil), Gabriel Mendoza (Chile),
Leonel Alvarez (Colombia), Leonel Rodriguez (Argentina), Luis Monzon (Paraguay),
Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina), Ivan Zamorano (Chile)
4-All
Star-Team per Triunfo Magazine:
Patricio
Toledo (Chile), Fabian Basualdo (Argentina), Oscar Ruggeri (Argentina), Ricardo
Rocha (Brazil), Diego Osorio (Colombia), Carlos Guirland (Paraguay), Mauro
Silva (Brazil), Alex Aguinaga (Ecuador), Leonel Rodriguez (Argentina), Gabriel
Batistuta (Argentina), Joao Paulo (Brazil)
5-During
the Tournament, Colombian goalkeeper Rene Higuita was asked by a Chilean
journalist, if there was a woman for whom he would not leave his penalty area
for:
His
response was Brooke Shields.
6-In
the Copa America, for each yellow card, there was a fine of $100.
References:
Triunfo
Nº264 01-07-1991
Triunfo
Nº265 08-07-1991
Triunfo
Nº266 15-07-1991
Triunfo
Nº 267 22-07-1991
Triunfo
Nº 268 29-07-1991
El
Grafico Number 3744, 1991
El
Grafico Number 3745, July 16, 1991
El
Grafico Number 3746, 1991
Deporte
Total , Edicion Especial Copa America 1991
Deporte
Total, July 17, 1991
Deporte
Total, July 24, 1991
Deporte
Total, July 31, 1991
El
Grafico, Historia de la seleccion Argentina, 1961-1970
El
Grafico, Historia de la seleccion Argentina, 1986-1991
France
Football, Issue 2361, July 9, 1991
France
Football, Issue 2362, July 16, 1991
France
Football, Issue 2363, July 23, 1991
Historia
de la Copa America
Libero,
issue 9, 1993 (IFFHS)
Onze-Mondial,
Issue 30, July 1991
Onze-Mondial,
Issue 31, August 1991
Seleccao
Brasileira -90 Anos 1914-2004, Authors Antonio Carlos Napoleao, Roberto Assaf
Soccer
International, Volume 2, Issue 11, November 1991
World
Soccer, July 1991
World
Soccer, August 1991
World
Soccer, September 1991
Don
Balon (Copa America 1991)
Man, you made myself cry with such memories!
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