The Verdemarela stays perfect and claims new silverware in Santos, as Venezuela upset Uruguay for third place
The Brazilian National Side added another honour to their stunning collection this afternoon, after claiming the Copa América de Fútbol Playa 2016 on home soil.
With a new spectacular beach soccer display, the hosts rolled past the Guaraní to extend their undefeated run and close a perfect 2016 in which they have won all the matches they have played, and have won all the competitions they have taken part in.
No matter what Paraguay tried today, it would not have worked, as the inspired Brazilian were absolutely out of reach. Fully focused and determined, Gilberto’s lads got quickly ahead in the score, and kept punishing the Paraguayan nets during the whole 36 minutes.
Zayas’s brace was a way-too-weak strike to derail the Brazilian Express.
Bruno Xavier, the competitions MVP, fired his last free kick home to close a brilliant 2016 for his team, sealing a prestigious win that keeps Brazil as the team in a better shape all over the world.
Venezuela makes podium
A goal by the tournament’s top scorer, Alexander Vaamonde, with only 13 seconds to go, had Venezuela clinching the third place in this Copa América. The Vinotinto had been giving signs of being a very consistent team all through the competition, and they could confirm those sensations following this laudable win over one of the big names in the continent, Uruguay.
In the match for the 5th place, Peru captured an amazing win almost over the hooter, with a ball by Sócrates Vidal kissing the Chilean nets in the very last breath of a terribly balanced game.
In the rest of the matches, Bolivia prevailed over Colombia for the 7th place and Argentina confirmed this was not their competition by losing to Ecuador in the fight to skip the last position.
The lack of international experience was a heavy load for Petrasso’s refurbished squad, and they will need to improve significantly if they want to have any options to make it to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 in the CONMEBOL Qualifier coming up next February in Asunción (Paraguay).
COPA AMÉRICA FÚTBOL PLAYA SANTOS 2016
Final Standings
Champions: BRAZIL
Runner-up: Paraguay
3rd place: Venezuela
4th place: Uruguay
5th place: Perú
6th place: Chile
7th place: Bolivia
8th place: Colombia
9th place: Ecuador
10th place: Argentina
Individual awards:
MVP: Bruno Xavier (BRA)
Top Scorer: Alexander Vaamonde (VEN)
Best goalkeeper: Mão (BRA)
