Argentina routs Brazil to reach another final

Source: China Daily | 08-20-2008 13:16

BEIJING --Sergio Aguero scored two second-half goals in seven minutes Tuesday and later set up another to lead Argentina to a 3-0 win over rival Brazil and into its second straight Olympic final.

Sergio Aguero (C) of Argentina celebrates after scoring against  Brazil's goalkeeper Renan during their 2008 Beijing Olympic Games  semi-finals men's football match at the worker's Stadium in Beijing  on August 19, 2008.[Agencies]

Aguero opened the scoring for the defending champions by chesting in a left-side cross in the 52nd minute, then scored again from two meters (yards) on a cross from the right in the 58th. Aguero also set up a 76th-minute penalty kick that was converted by Juan Roman Riquelme.

It was the first victory for Argentina against Brazil in three years. It hadn't beaten Brazil since a 3-1 victory in a World Cup qualifier in June 2005.

"It's not a score you see every day when Brazil and Argentina play," Argentina coach Sergio Batista said. "Argentina had a great match, with intelligence and personality."

The Argentine players huddled near midfield after the match and chanted to celebrate. The Argentines also did some celebrating inside the team's bus as it was ready to leave the stadium, jumping around and singing together.

Breno (R) and Rafina of Brazil vies with Lionel Messi (C) of Argentina  during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games semi-finals men's football match  at the Worker's Stadium in Beijing on August 19, 2008.[Agencies]