Throughout its rich and long history in international football, Brazil has managed to win nine Copa América titles, the most frequent trophy in its extensive collection. After winning the first one in 1919, Brazil repeated the feat in 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007, and 2019, with the last two being the most recent titles of the Seleção to date.
By lifting the title in 2019 as hosts, Brazil broke an almost 12-year drought in the Copa América. In the distant year of 2007, in Venezuela, and in the warm city of Maracaibo, “The Land of the Beloved Sun,” Brazil managed to lift the title after overcoming an initial setback, with a new generation and thrashing their great rival in the final.
Today on Sambafoot, we remember Brazil’s title in the 2007 Copa América in Venezuela.
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How did the Seleção arrive at Copa América 2007?
In those years, Brazil underwent its first major restructuring following the disappointment of the 2006 World Cup in Germany. After qualifying for the World Cup in the top position of the CONMEBOL qualifiers, a Brazil led by Cafú and featuring stars such as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaká, Lúcio, and Dida approached the international tournament as reigning champions.
After relatively easily overcoming the group stage, winning all three matches against Australia, Croatia, and Japan, Brazil faced Ghana in the round of 16. The African team was no match for that Seleção, falling 3-0 in a game where Ronaldo, Adriano, and Zé Roberto scored.
The disappointment came in the quarterfinals. France, the eventual finalist, won the match with a solitary goal by Thierry Henry, and the defending champions went home, leaving a disappointing image and receiving criticism from all sides, including Pelé.
The generation of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, and company seemed to have come to an end. Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira left the position due to criticism, and Dunga was chosen to take the reins of the team for the upcoming Copa América.
The Squad
Dunga took seriously the task of forming a new generation for the 2007 Copa América, taking only six players who participated in the 2006 World Cup to Venezuela: Juan, Gilberto, Mineiro, Gilberto Silva, Robinho, and Zé Roberto, although the latter was eventually replaced by Júlio Baptista.
Goalkeepers
- Doni
- Helton
- Dida
Defenders
- Dani Alves
- Gilberto
- Kléber
- Maicon
- Alex Silva
- Alex
- Juan
- Naldo
Midfielders
- Anderson
- Diego
- Elano
- Fernando
- Gilberto Silva
- Josué
- Mineiro
- Júlio Baptista
Forwards
- Afonso
- Fred
- Vágner Love
- Robinho
How did Brazil perform in Copa América 2007?
The 2007 Copa América in Venezuela was the 42nd edition of CONMEBOL’s premier continental tournament. This was the first time Venezuela hosted the tournament, featuring a total of nine stadiums in eight cities: Caracas, Maracaibo, Barinas, Puerto Ordaz, Maturín, Mérida, Puerto La Cruz, and San Cristóbal.
The tournament was held between June 29 and July 15, 2007, with the grand final at the Pachencho Romero Stadium in Maracaibo. Brazil was one of the protagonists of Group B, where they were grouped with Mexico, Chile, and Ecuador.
Group Stage
With the world’s pressure on their shoulders, Brazil faced a tough opening match against Mexico at the Cachamay Stadium. Surprisingly, Dunga’s team was soundly defeated, losing 2-0. This setback served as a wake-up call, centering the team.
After the initial stumble, Brazil showed no mercy against Chile, winning 3-0 at the Monumental of Maturín and closing the group stage with a narrow victory over Ecuador, advancing to the next stage as the second-placed team, only behind unbeaten Mexico.
Quarterfinals
In the quarterfinals, Brazil faced Chile again, a team that reached the next round as one of the best third-placed teams. In this second encounter, Dunga’s team once again crushed the Chilean side.
With a resounding 6-1 victory where Robinho, Juan, Júlio Baptista, Josué, and Vágner scored, Brazil advanced convincingly to the next round.
Semifinals
The semifinals posed a real test for the Brazilian national team. After thrashing Venezuela in the quarterfinals, Uruguay earned a spot in the semis and now aimed to challenge the Seleção.
The Uruguayan team bravely faced Brazil, which took the lead through a goal by Maicon (13’). Diego Forlán (36’) equalized for La Celeste, but Júlio Baptista restored Brazil’s lead in the 41st minute. In the second half, Sebastián “El Loco” Abreu tied the game, and after extra time, everything was decided by penalties.
In a long penalty shootout with 14 attempts, Robinho opened the scoring for Brazil, and Gilberto’s goal sealed the 5-4 victory in the shootout.
Final
The final couldn’t have been more daunting for Brazil. A solid Argentine team, featuring stars like Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Riquelme, Mascherano, Cambiasso, Aimar, Milito, and Zanetti, reached the final after dominating all their matches and had the chance to win the Copa América against their biggest rival.
However, whether due to fate or merit, football had another outcome prepared for this grand final.
In the Land of the Beloved Sun, the city of Maracaibo, and the legendary Pachencho Romero Stadium, Brazil and Argentina deployed their best lineups for a match destined to be remembered by future generations.
A quick goal by Júlio Baptista (4’) surprised a lackluster and disoriented Argentina, who suffered another blow with an own goal by Roberto Ayala in the 40th minute. Going into halftime with a 2-0 lead, Brazil maintained their advantage throughout the second half, definitively sealing the match with a goal by Dani Alves, completing the surprising and definitive 3-0 victory.
