I read in the match program that in the last 20 years, Argentina has met Uruguay 13 times. Argentina won 7, tied 5 and lost only ONCE.
Officially, last night's match in Santa Fe was a tie. But with the penalty shoot-out, Argentina is OUT of Copa America 2011.
I had a ticket in the main tribune so I could hang around the press area and met the Argentine Federation President Julio Grondona and former Boca Juniors and WC 1986 winner Carlos Daniel Tapia and many other celebrities.
My seat was in the front row behind a corner flag and this was my view.
the Higuain goal that was called back for offside
Argentina has not won the World Cup since 1986. They have not won the Copa America since 1993. With so much talent, how could this be?
How could a country that was so rich not so long ago became what it is today?
When I was here 10 years ago, when I came back 5 years ago, and now, everytime I was here, I saw signs of an once great country and the word that kept coming to my mind was DECAY.
Perhaps the most poignant moment of this trip for me took place on my second day in Argentina. It really illustrated that Argentina was like an illusion.
On a sunny Saturday I visited a place called República de los Niños, near La Plata. It was a themed park for children, built by Eva Peron and opened in 1951.
The official brochure said that Walt Disney visited this park and got the idea for Disneyland (opened in 1955).
well I got there early in time for the opening of the park and I was the only customer.
I stayed for about one hour. But during that one hour, no one else came. And this was a sunny Saturday.
Most of the stores were closed. the two that were opened were more like kiosks that sold snacks and drinks.
Later I read more about this park and Disneyland and read that there was no record of Walt Disney ever visiting Argentina.
may be one day, Argentina will be rich again and the national football team will win the World Cup or the Copa America again and the children will go to República de los Niños again.
I really enjoy this trip. Today is my last day in Argentina. Like Ross and Thomas said, the football quality of Copa America 2011 left a lot to be desired but the romantic and adventurous essence of the tournament, that was what we came for.
from el Cementerio de los Elefantes in Santa Fe, buonas noche.
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