With the title already won, a place at the Olympics already secured and key players missing for a final match against a talented Brazil side that required victory for their own qualification it was no surprise that Argentina suffered defeat on Sunday. After six straight wins and all objectives surpassed even with that loss, the pre-Olympic tournament has been nothing but a success for the Albiceleste.
Agustín Urzi’s red card in the decisive win over Colombia along with yellow card suspensions to Adolfo Gaich and Nicolás Capaldo had left Argentina under-strength for what was a dead-rubber for Fernando Batista’s side.
Argentina’s star player Alexis Mac Allister went close with a fiercely struck free-kick from distance but once Pedrinho latched on to a clipped pass over Facundo Medina to open the scoring after quarter of an hour, Brazil were in charge.
Matheus Cunha had already hit the crossbar when a gift from Nehuén Pérez allowed the Brazilian forward to double the lead after half an hour and when Cunha’s deflected effort after the break made it three, the result was in no doubt.
Brazil’s victory ensured the Seleção of second place and they will join Argentina in Tokyo, where both sides will harbour aspirations of going for gold.
