Sergio Agüero scored their first goals of the men's Olympic Football Tournament, helping Argentina's engineer dazzling 3-0 victory over old rivals Brazil in Beijing. The reward for their last-four victory is a final date with Nigeria, which beat Belgium 4-1 in Shanghai today.
The competition was initiated at a rate commensurate with a clash between two of the oldest and biggest rivals in world football. After cautious flirtations with the goal at each end, the first golden opportunity came in minute 12 when the jet-heeled Schalke Rafinha burst up the right wing and crossed dangerously. Lone Brazilian striker Rafael Sobis, however, was unable to get a toe to the ball at full stretch.
Only seconds later, Sergio Aguero picked up a quick free-kick into the Brazilian area, but somehow conspired to pull his shot wide of the near post with the goalkeeper at his mercy.
With 33 minutes on the clock, Lionel Messi, a fan favorite in PR China, began to make his mark in the match. A wasted free-kick from Juan Roman Riquelme fell to Barcelona jewel, but its arrow-like cross through the six-yard box eluded his fellow attackers.
Messi the best time of the opening half came with four minutes to go. Jinking brilliantly through the penalty area, forced Brazil goalkeeper Renan in a reflex save that kept his side level at the interval.
Argentina increased the pressure early in the second half, Aguero and good work finally paid dividends in the 52 th minute. After tying with Fernando Gago, Angel Di Maria slammed a chest high cross from the left that the front shoulders on the back of the net from close range. Shortly thereafter, Ezequiel Garay crossed low from the left side and the man they call 'El Kun' no mistake, tapping home his second goal in six minutes.
Inspired by his talisman, Ronalidinho, Brazil struck again almost 65 minutes. The new AC Milan signing slammed a vicious free-kick in front of Sergio Romero's office, and although Alexandre Pato managed to fight the resulting rebound home, the arbitrator noted that it was in an offside position.
It was the second time in half the Brazilians had beaten the woodwork, with Rafael Sobis hit the same post a few minutes before. But their fate only get worse before they got better.
Agüero became the focal point for Argentina's third goal. After collecting a pass from the effervescent Messi in the penalty area on 74 minutes, the athlete Madrid cut interest Breno with a penalty. Captain Riquelme stepped up to do the honours, hammering up the intestine through the lens.
Brazil miserable night was completed in the last ten minutes when Lucas and Thiago Neves was sent off for misconduct cynical Javier Mascherano. The gold medal game between Argentina and Nigeria, two former winners, will take place in the Bird's Nest National Stadium on August 23. Brazil will have to Belgium for Bronze in Shanghai the previous day.--fifa.com--
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