Upset! Brawls! Own Goal! Red Cards! Arsenal Wins Copa Sudamericana

By: Laurie | December 6th, 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlHBQFnnd_M

Arsenal de Sarandí are not one of the Big Boy clubs in South American football.

They have never won a league championship in Argentina. Their first appearance in an international tournament was in 2004. And their home stadium is so small that the Copa Sudamericana final couldn’t be held there.

And yet the boys of Arsenal shocked Mexican superclub Club America last night, winning the Copa Sudamericana.

They went into the game ahead on aggregate, 3-2, after a surprise away win against America in Mexico City. But America fought back, and for awhile it looked like they would take home the trophy. They went up in the game 1-0 on an Arsenal own goal in the 18th, then seemed to have it locked up with a goal in the 63rd. The scoreline stayed 2-0 until Arsenal scored in the 84th minute, tying on aggregate and winning the Copa Sudamericana on away goals despite losing the game 2-1.

And no nail-biting final is complete without the requisite brawls (or at least a little shoving) and resulting red cards, and this game had that too, with American players Duilio Davino and Lucas Castroman sent off in the final minutes.

And a fun time was had by all.

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Category: World Football

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Laurie

Thanks, James. Someday I'll learn Spanish. It's on my to-do list.
James

They're saying:

The referees did a horrible job, and that both games were dirty. America didn't really attack but when they did Arsenal quickly responded and were closer to winning than America. On Arsenals goal they said America defense was nervous and were more worried about a penalty than him actually scoring.

San Martin (Aresenal) was the dirtiest player out of both games, throwing elbow's to the face etc...
Laurie

Soccer Dad, I noticed the crossbar thing too. It looked like Arsenal really deserved this one.
Soccer Dad

Man I wish I could understand what the commentators were saying - they clearly were having a lively debate during the highlights. Whereas most sports highlights here are very shot and then you get to watch the talking heads. I'll take this format anyday! Man - how many times could America hit the crossbar?