South America’s two Olympic spots are claimed after qualifying competition
No country has ever won three consecutive men’s Olympic football gold medals – and that record will remain intact for a while longer now that Brazil, winners in the last two Games, failed to grab one of South America’s two slots in Paris.
Brazil fell on the last day to rivals Argentina, while the other slot went to Paraguay, who, needing to hold hosts Venezuela, ran out comfortable 2-0 winners to win the South American Under-23 Championship.
There is a delightful symmetry here: 20 years ago, the same two nations snapped up the Olympic places, with Argentina going on to beat Paraguay 1-0 in the Athens final. Then, as now, Paraguay’s coach was Carlos Jara. Then Javier Mascherano was Argentina’s holding midfielder, and now he is their coach. Their two teams were comfortably the best on show in Venezuela, and came out on top in an entertaining tournament.
The tournament was divided into two group phases. In the first, the ten teams were split into two groups, with the first and second-placed sides advancing to a second group of four teams.
The pitches left something to be desired. Indeed, the final stage was switched at short notice to Caracas because of the poor condition of the playing surface in the intended venue, Barquisimeto – a late change in a tournament characterised by improvisation. With the competition not being on the FIFA calendar, there are always problems getting players released, and coaches have to work hard to form a team from a group that will not assemble again; the squads of Argentina and Paraguay will probably look different in Paris, not least because three over-age players can be drafted in.
With these limitations in mind, Jara did a splendid job with Paraguay. His side had all the country’s traditional virtues – warrior spirit, resilience, strength at set-pieces – but they added a flourish. The midfielders in the 4-2-3-1 system were footballers rather than markers and harriers, and they manoeuvred the ball quickly and efficiently.
Argentina were the most attractive side on display, capable of fine passages of play, and were comfortably the top scorers. But for all their flowing football, they found it hard to be consistent over the full 90 minutes. They missed too many chances and could be vulnerable defensively – hence the need for the last-day victory over Brazil, achieved when Brighton-bound Valentin Barco’s cross was headed home by big centre-forward Luciano Gondou.
Brazil’s elimination comes as a massive disappointment, but hardly a surprise after a thoroughly dismal campaign. There were high hopes for the strike duo of Endrick and John Ke
