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Argentina has defeated Brazil in the latest chapter of historic South American soccer rivalry.
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Sports writer Mauricio Fonseca said, "Losing to Argentina 0:3 is depressing, but I think it's quite reasonable. I knew that Argentina was the better team even before the game started. Brazil didn't perform the best they could, the players didn't have enough time either before the Olympics to thoroughly prepare for the competition. Argentina deserves the victory. We'll settle with bronze."
The bitter defeat of Brazil quickly topped all major websites and newspapers in the country. The media and Brazilian fans were quick to blame coach Dunga and most of the players, particularly Milan's Ronaldinho, who was elected the world's best player by FIFA in 2004 and 2005. Sports commentators say Dunga's team lacked determination from the very beginning, and the change of players after Argentina scored two goals was no use.
Argentine former soccer player Diego Maradona, who sat in a VIP area in the stadium to watch the match, described the Brazilian team as "skimpy and defensive". The former star blamed their lack of team spirit, saying that Argentina surpassed the Brazilians in every meter of the field and the triumph was fair.
(CCTV August 20, 2008)
