Brazil defender Thiago Silva said Argentina deserve being Copa America champions after the Albiceleste’s 1-0 victory over the tournament hosts in Saturday’s final.
“We have to congratulate our opponents,” Silva told local television after the match at the Maracana Stadium.
“Argentina neutralised our players and it was very difficult to come back after going a goal down.”
The 36-year-old added: “We weren’t able to play the way we wanted to in the first half and in the second they defended very well. We tried our best but things didn’t go our way.”
Angel Di Maria was the hero for Argentina with a deft 22nd-minute chip-over goalkeeper Ederson after Renan Lodi’s botched attempt to intercept a raking Rodrigo De Paul pass.
In spite of stumbling at the final hurdle here, Silva insisted Brazil would not be discouraged by the result.
“Overall, I think we had a good campaign. We have to hold our heads up high and we should still be proud of the runners-up medal. That’s football and we have to deal with it.”
The result broke a 13-match unbeaten run for Tite’s men and gave Argentina their first major title since 1993.
meanwhile, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni dedicated his team’s 1-0 victory over hosts Brazil in the Copa America final on Saturday to previous Albiceleste sides.
“This title is for the previous sides that tried to win it but couldn’t,” he said.
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A first-half strike from Angel Di Maria was enough to hand Argentina their first major title since the 1993 Copa America.
That was when Gabriel Batistuta guided them to victory over Mexico in the final.
Since then, the South American giants have been runners-up four times in the Copa America and once in the World Cup.
This included a harrowing period in the mid-2010s when they lost three finals in as many years.
“This trophy is also for the lads who tried to win it and couldn’t. That generation of footballers left a legacy,” said Scaloni.
The 43-year-old, himself a former defender for Argentina, played down his influence on the team’s fortunes since taking over as head coach in 2018.
In that time, Scaloni has rejuvenated the squad with youth while bringing out the best in veterans Angel Di Maria, Nicolas Otamendi and Lionel Messi.
“I’m convinced that whoever had been in my position would have done the same,” Scaloni said.
“These guys give their maximum every time they go out to play. We achieved what we have because we’ve been able to be ourselves.
“It’s a difficult competition to win and it’s important to understand what it means to wear this shirt.”
Scaloni heaped praise on Messi, saying the 34-year-old confirmed his status as the world’s best player with four goals and five assists, in spite of carrying an unspecified injury.
Now the Albiceleste will turn their focus to the South American zone qualifiers for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
“Hopefully, we can continue to play like this and qualify for the World Cup.”