Brazil who started as underdogs for the Sunday’s clash against rivals Argentina beats them 3-0 in the Copa America Final in Maracaribo .
It was the second successive title for the Brazilians and was sweet justification for coach Dunga, who was without superstars Ronaldinho and Kaka, and who had been the target of vitriolic criticism for overseeing a workmanlike rather than traditionally wondrous side.
Argentina, chasing a record 15th title, were outplayed in every department as the sparkling form they showed in the run-up to the final deserted them and deprived coach Alfio Basile of a second Copa having overseen the team's last win in 1993.
Julio Baptista scored his third goal in three games at the tournament when he gave Brazil the lead after just four minutes. The striker, unwanted by Arsenal, picked up a long ball from Elano, who had replaced suspended skipper Gilberto Silva, and controlled it neatly.
He turned to the right of Argentina skipper Roberto Ayala and fired a fierce right-foot drive into the top corner of Roberto Abbondanzieri's goal. Five minutes later, Argentina were unfortunate not to be back on level terms.
A cushioned header from Juan Sebastian Veron found Juan Roman Riquelme in space but the playmaker's left-foot shot came off the post with goalkeeper Doni well beaten. At the other end, Abbondanzieri saved from Maicon to keep the deficit down while opposite number Doni was also alert to danger when he thwarted another Riquelme effort 10 minutes from half-time.
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