Group 1

Group A.
Paraguay – Peru 5-2.
In front of 5000 fans, Peru opened the score in the 30th minute, but after that was utterly destroyed. The sharp decline of Peru was confirmed and Paraguay had formidable start. However, this game was practically unnoticed, because at the same time Brazil made its debut.
Brazil – Venezuela 3-1.
No surprise here, as far as Brazil was expected to win and they did. Bebeto scored in the 2nd minute and at the 60th minute Brazil was leading by 3 goals, the match practically ended. But it was not exactly what happened on the pitch important. The scandal surrounding team Brazil fully erupted at the opening game – first of all, the fans boycotted the game: only 15 000 attended the stadium with 90 000 capacity and they were incredibly hostile to their own team. Venting their anger of the exclusion of their home star Charles, the Bahians booed Lazaroni’s team and threw projectiles at the players, so photographs were unable to take official pictures at the teams before the match. The Brazilian substitutes at the stands were constantly heckled and finally forced to leave. Lazaroni’ approach to the game did not help either – even the Venezuelan coach expressed his surprise with displeasure: ‘We expected an avalanche, but Brazil had more defenders than attackers. Too modern for my taste.’ When even the team you beat is criticizing your play, something must be really wrong. However, the hostility of the crowd was such, that Bebeto, himself born in Bahia, did not hide how upset he was by the reception of the national team: ‘Worse than playing on foreign soil’. Everything about Lazaroni’s team was adding only fuel to anger: the stubbornly defensive approach against the weakest team on the continent, the unfortunate early injury of Tita in the 12th minute, which put him out of the tournament, the poor form of Romario and especially of Geovani, who Lazaroni thought to be the key player of his team. Dunga and Renato were unavailable for the opening match, because Fiorentina (Dunga) and Roma (Renato) had qualification match for the UEFA Cup spot in Perugia and only after the game started their long trek from Perugia to Salvador, finally arriving just before the match against Venezuela was about to begin. Coming directly from the airport to the stadium, they sat on the reserves bench. Everything was against Lazaroni – Geovani a huge disappointment, Romario unfit, Dunga and Renato late, Tita heavily injured at the beginning of the match and out of the whole tournament, Mauro Galvao suddenly losing his post as libero to better playing Ricardo Gomes. All that on top of the scandal with Muller and absent key players because of injuries or their clubs refusing to release them. Perhaps Lazaroni was right to replace Bebeto with Baltazar in half-time – the match was already won and it was wiser to keep Bebeto fresh and healthy – but since he was one of the few Brazilians playing really well at the opening and his Bahian by birth, placing him on the bench only infuriated more already very hostile crowds. At the end, only Bebeto, Ricardo, and Branco impressed and Lazaroni was further criticized in the press for his selection and approach. A terrible beginning for Brazil.
Colombia – Venezuela 4-2.
With all eyes on Brazil, this match caught little interest. Only 4000 fans attended and no wonder – Colombia was expected to have an easy game and they did. What should be noticed was that Rene Hiquita scored the first goal of the game – from a penalty in the 36th minute. Naturally, the crowd loved that, but Higuita still allowed 2 goals from the weakest team on the continent! Showmanship made him a crowd darling, but his antics came with heavy price for team Colombia. He was a big risk and liability – other teams in similar situation choose to discard the risky goalkeeper (think Hugo Gatti of Argentina) even if other option were less talented, but at least solidly predictable. This Colmbian generation was very talented, so perhaps it was thought that Valderrama and company will compensate Higuita’s flops by outscoring the opposition, but… it did not happen.
Brazil – Peru 0-0.
In the midst of terrible criticism, Brazil utterly failed. Attendance shrunk to the half of people attending the opening match of Brazil, but hostility only increased – the crowd was entirely turned against their own team. They had a good reason to express anger, for Lazaroni stubbornly responded to the general criticism with something very close to irrationality. Let recall that his concept was based on backbone of Mauro Galvao as libero, Geovani as the key figure in the middle and Bebeto-Romario duo in attack. And add that injured Jorginho was his choice of right fullback. Against Venezuela Geovani and Romario disappointed, Mazinho played well at the place of Jorginho, and Ricardo Gomes was wonderful as libero. Seemed reasonable to keep Mazinho and Ricardo Gomes at their posts and replace Geovani and Romario with other options, especially against weak team as Peru. Lazaroni did just the opposite – he kept Geovani and Romario (who disappointed again), replaced Mazinho with Aldair and paired Mauro Galvao with Ricardo Gomes in the middle of defence, most likely confusing both players – who was libero now? And what was to play the other one? Nothing good came out of Lazaroni’s choice – Brazil struggled, playing poorly and even having a man advantage near the end of the game (Purizaga, the goalkeeper of Peru was expelled at the 84th minute) did not help. In the second half Lazaroni still tried different attacking line, but it was mostly an act of desperation: Baltazar replaced Romario and Renato replaced Branco. Even the fielding of Renato was somewhat suspect: why replacing Branco, one of the very few strong Brazilian players so far? Why not Geovani or one of liberoes? Why not Aldair, since it was quiet clear that was not looking for regular right fullback, but only for a backup of Jorginho? Why keeping so many defensive minded players (Dunga and Alemao plus 4 defenders) against teams like Venezuela and Perhu? Of course, the general hostility worked badly on the players’ psyche, but seemingly Lazaroni was unable and unwilling to try positive changes. To top the disaster, power failure stopped the match in the 46th minute and lasted 22 minutes. In the dark, the crowd only get more angry and hostile. The match ended scoreless and the fury of angry criticism was entirely unleashed. Let add one last nail in the coffin: games were played one after another in the same stadium same day. Brazil so far played the second game of the day, so one can imagine on what pitch they played – a pitch not satisfying to begin with. At this point Lazaroni was eager to play in Recife, for better pitch and fans. Things were becoming really dangerous – after 2 games Brazil was in big danger of failing to qualify to the final of the tournament.
Peru – Venezuela 1-1.
If Peru entertained some hope for going ahead (and increased Brazilian fears of failure) after their surprise tie with the hosts, this match brought back the ugly reality – Peru was weak and no miracle was possible. Venezuela scored first and although Peru equalized in the very next minute, that was all.
Paraguay – Colombia 1-0.
To a point, this was decisive match – whoever won was almost sure to reach the finals and the losers would go home. Colombia was somewhat favoured, but Paraguay proved that their strong beginning was not accidental. Once again they played with determination and eventually won. Mendoza scored for them in the 51st minute and Colombia was unable to equalize.
Paraguay – Venezuela 3-0.
Paraguay continued its great performance with solid victory against the outsiders. Nothing really surprising, but must be noted the high-scoring of Paraguay – even with their star strikers Cabanas and Romero, Paraguay was not a team known for high scoring. They were known for kind of doggy football, tough fighters, best at cutting off the teeth of other teams. Their performance now was quite a pleasant surprise.
Brazil – Colombia 0-0.
This was the last match Brazil was playing in the hostile Salvador and it was decisive match: it was sure that talented Colombia will do everything possible to win the game and thus keep chances to qualify to the finals. Brazil was in the same desperate situation, even worse than the Colombian one – it was absolutely certain that the crowd will boo Brazil, Once again, it the second match for the day and the pitch was very harsh. Attendance was low – only 9000 – which perhaps was a minor relief for Lazaroni, who by this time most likely wished no fans coming at all. Since it was absolutely sure that Maturana will field his regulars, Lazaroni’s response was interesting: was he going to change his team? He did… kind of. Bebeto was on the bench, Baltazar was paired with Romario. Thus, the same team unable to beat Peru now had to beat strong Colombia… Romario so far was big disappointment and Bebeto was perhaps the best striker, but Romario was on the pitch and Bebeto on the bench. Go figure… what did not work against Peru, worked even less against Colombia. Once again substitutions were made somewhat desperately – Bebeto replaced Baltazar and Mazinho replaced Alemao. Seemingly, against stronger strikers even the defensive line was not very convincing, so Mazinho had to come – a player, seemingly not very desired by Lazaroni. Let say, Brazil survived and at least the hell of Salvador was over – the team was moving to Recife for their last game. Colombia was practically eliminated, though.
Colombia – Peru 1-1.
Peru was already eliminated and had nothing except honour to play for. Colombia still had a chance to qualify to the final stage, but that depended on particular outcome of Brazil-Paraguay. Most likely the Colombians did not believe such luck possible and did not push to win the game. Both goals were scored in the first half – Colombia opened in the 32nd minute, 10 minutes later Peru equalized. 1-1 at the end and both teams going home. Perhaps Peru was quite satisfied with their performance – in decline and having a weak team, they tied Brazil and Colombia: not bad at all. May be even better than expected.
Brazil -Paraguay 2-0.
Paraguay already qualified to the final stage, so this game did not matter to them. Brazil on the other hand had to win, even it was mostly for moral reasons. Once again, two games were played on the same stadium one after the other, so the pitch was bad, but the result of earlier match was known – Colombia finished with 4 points. Brazil already had 4 points – it was highly unlikely they will badly by disinterested Paraguay. But it important to win if only for building confidence and the situation was finally good – hellish Salvador was left behind, Recife was a breath of fresh air: 76 000 fans attended, eager to see their beloved national team. Supportive crowd, which even by sheer numbers boosted the players moral – the three games in Salvador by attended of about 30 000 total and they were entirely hostile. The massive crowd in Recife was cheerful and supportive, even if the game was not all that important and mere bleak scoreless draw was sufficient. This time even Lazaroni abandoned his pigheaded way – Geovani was out, replaced by Silas and Mazinho was in (in midfield) instead of Alemao. Bebeto was back, paired with Romario, and he was the hero of the match, scoring both goals. Brazil played better at last and although journalists were not full of praise, at least some hope emerged – Lazaroni finally made meaningful changes and they for the better.
1. Paraguay 4 6 3 0 1 9-4
2. Brazil 4 6 2 2 0 5-1
3. Colombia 4 4 1 2 1 5-4
4. Peru 4 3 0 3 1 4-7
5. Venezuela 4 1 0 1 3 4-11
Well, Praguay and Brazil qualified to the final stage – Paraguay was a pleasant surprise, not only qualifying, but finishing first in the group. Brazil struggled and failed to win the group, but at least was shamefully eliminated early at home. Presently, Lazaroni’s fate was seemingly sealed: it was almost certain he will be sacked after Copa America, everybody was calling for that. Colombia was probably stunned by the elimination, but not very harshly – after all, it was only recently ascending team, perhps still not at its peak, still in building process. Peru was probably satisfied by the outcome – the results were generally good for a team in decline. Venezuela – well, nothing was expected from the outsiders, so it was hard to disappoint.