Brazil are currently leading Argentina 2-0 at half-time in the Final of the 42nd Copa América 2007, at the Stadio José Pachencho Romero, in Maracaibo on Sunday with Julio Baptista scoring an early opener and an own-goal from Roberto Ayala just before half-time giving the Seleçao a comfortable lead at the break.

Julio Baptista opened the scoring for Brazil in just the 4th minute, latching on to a long-ball, controlling it well before turning Roberto Ayala in the Argentina defence and looping the ball perfectly over Roberto Abbondanzieri in the Albiceleste goal to make it 1-0 to Brazil.

Just minutes later Argentina almost equalised with a knock-down from Juan Sebastian Veron to Juan Riquelme, whose thunderous strike rebounded off Doni’s right-hand post to safety.

Brazil almost doubled their lead in the 18th minute when Maicon broke through the Argentine defence, crossing the ball dangerously across goal, with Javier Zanetti clearing the ball inches from the line before it could reach Robinho on the far-post.

Brazil were frustrating their opponents as the half progressed, playing very defensively and without their usual flowing moves which led to the game losing it’s initial momentum.

Daniel Alves replaced Elano in the 34th minute after the Shakhtar Donetsk star was injured.

Argentina started to find their feet, with Juan Roman Riquelme testing Doni with another ferocious strike which saw the Brazil keeper diving well to parry away.

Just as Argentina started to get back into the game they were struck by a massive blow.

Roberto Ayala scored an own-goal in the 40th minute while trying to clear a cross from Daniel Alves, sliding the ball into the net while trying to clear the danger.

The half finished 2-0 to Brazil, with Argentina needing to pull out all the stops in the second-half.

BRAZIL 3-0 ARGENTINA FULL-TIME REPORT COPA AMÉRICA 2007 FINAL: CLICK TO VIEW

Full team-sheets for Brazil v Argentina in the Final of the Copa América 2007, Venezuela:

Brazil Team: Doni, Maicon, Alex, Gilberto, Juan Silveira dos Santos, Josué, Mineiro, Elano (Daniel Alves, 34), Julio César Baptista, Robinho, Vagner Love.

Brazil Substitutes Not Used: Helton, Naldo, Kléber, Gilberto Silva, Anderson, Diego Ribas da Cunha, Fernando, Afonso, Fred.

Argentina Team: Roberto Abbondanzieri, Roberto Ayala, Gabriel Heinze, Gabriel Milito, Javier Mascherano, Javier Aldemar Zanetti, Juan Roman Riquelme, Juan Sebastian Verón, Esteban Cambiasso, Lionel Andrés Messi, Carlos Alberto Tevez.

Argentina Substitutes Not Used: Juan Pablo Carrizo,Daniel Alberto Díaz, Nicolas Burdisso, Agustín Ignacio Orión,Hugo Benjamín Ibarra, Diego Milito, Fernando Gago, Luis Oscar González, Rodrigo Palacio, Pablo Aimar.

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