MARACAIBO (Venezuela), July 13: Argentina are out to end their 14 year Copa America famine when they meet their rival South American footballing superpower Brazil in Sunday's final.

Argentina set up this revenge meeting -- they were beaten by Brazil on penalties in the last final in Peru three years ago -- with a 3-0 rout of Mexico in Ciuduad Guayana on Wednesday.

Gabriel Heinze, Lionel Messi and Juan Roman Riquelme were all on the mark to ensure their place in Sunday's showpiece encounter at the Jose Pachencho Romero Stadium in Maracaibo.

Argentina will be bidding for a record 15th Copa America title against the seven-times and reigning champions Brazil, who struggled to defeat Uruguay 5-4 on penalties on Tuesday in the first semi-final, which ended 2-2 after regular time.

Both teams have looked at this as a means to overcome the disappointment of missing out in last year's World Cup in Germany and to lay the groundwork for qualifying for the 2010 edition in South Africa.

Brazil are an altogether different side to the one knocked out by France in the 2006 world Cup, with Dunga taking over as coachand stalwarts Ronaldo, Robert Carlos, Cafu and Adriano, all getting the axe.

Ronaldinho and Kaka have also missed out on the competition having requested to be overlooked as they recover from their seasons in Europe.

This has given the chance for Dunga to blood new talent which scrapped through against Uruguay in a match that had to be stopped for almost quarter of an hour due to floodlight failure.

Brazil though will have to do without their captain, Gilberto Silva, the Arsenal midfielder who was ruled out after picking up a second yellow card in the semi-final win.

Robinho heads the race for the golden boot award with six goals, with Riquelme on five.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...
Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...