Uruguay will have to overcome Paraguay in the
Copa America final to lift their
15th Copa America title in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Sunday. If Uruguay win the title they will set record of highest Copa America titles than any other country. Current Uruguay and Argentina stand at 14 Copa America titles apiece.
Champion to represent South America in Confederations CupThe champion will automatically earn a place to represent South America in
Confederations Cup. For Uruguay this will be a series of success after finishing fourth on 2010 World Cup despite controversial hand ball by Luiz Suarez with prevented Ghana to the first African nation to reach World cup semi-final.
Paraguay and penalty shoot-outUruguay (La Celeste) have had several wins to reach at this surprise Copa America final but Paraguay have done enough in the play time and progress after penalty shoot-out. Many football fans are in favour of Uruguay to win during play time and Paraguay if the final have to be decided by penalty shoot-out. Paraguay have played 240 minutes in two consecutive games and might be a bit tied compared to their opponents but this could also give them more confident.
Paraguay road to Copa America finalParaguay have reached final stage without a win in 90 min in group stage or 120 min in knock-out stage, 0-0 draw with Ecuador, 2-2 against Brazil, 3-3 against Venezuela. In knock-out stage they drew 0-0 (0-2 pen) against Brazil and 0-0 (5-3 pen) against Venezuela.
Uruguay road to Copa America finalUruguay scored 6 goals (3 in group stage and three in knock-out stage) and concedes only two. Winning two and draw two game so far, on the way they drew 1-1 with Peru and Chile, beat Mexico 1-0 before a 1-1 drew with Argentina and entred the final with a convincing 2-0 win victory over Chile.
Paraguay have to be careful with the like of Diego Forlan on set pieces Luiz Suarez ability to shake of defenders, going for ball punched by opponent goalkeeper, Paraguay will have to be on their top form today to reach penalty shoot-out stage.
Top scorer of the tournamentLuiz Suarez and Sergio Aguero are all at three goals mark in the race for tournament top scorer award. Suarez playing alone
Diego Forlan, the adidas World Cup’s
Golden Ball winner have a high chance to scorer and avoid sharing the award with mmmmmm. The Liverpool player scored all three goals against Peru, one in group stage and two goals in the semi-final. Alvaro Pereira also had a chance to share the top scorer award if he score on Sunday has he his currently at 2 goals mark but only if Luiiz Suarez fail to scorer. Paraguay will rely on Manchester City striker, Roque Santa Cruz who despite being quite in this tournament he can be as bad to Uruaguay lika any other top striker.
All that said, this Copa America edition like many others, have had a lot of surprise and Paraguay can not be completely ruled out. Uruguay have to really fight to earn their 15th Copa America title.
The following awards will be presented on Sunday at the end of the game medal to the runners up, Golden Ball (best tournament player), Golden Boot (top scorer),. And the following awards by tournament sponsors Best Young Player of the Tournament Best Goalkeeper , Top Scorer of the Tournament , Player of the Copa, medals to the referees of the final match, Fair Play Trophy to the winning selection, medal with a replica of the Copa America and finally the Copa America trophy.
