2011 Copa America reaches ,how to bet against penalties?

The 2011 Copa America reaches
The 2011 Copa America reaches its logical conclusion today and it will be the fourth placed side at the last World Cup, Uruguay against a Paraguay side that is yet to win a match in Argentina in 90 or 120 minutes.

Uruguay have history on their side as they have won the competition 14 times, the first triumph in 1916 and they are tied with Argentina but Oscar Tabarez and his boys can go one better if they can claim a 15th title today at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, otherwise called the El Monumental, the home pitch of recently relegated River Plate.

Though a lot of pundits were expecting a Brazil versus Argentina final, it is apt that their conquerors have made this final match. Though Uruguay scored two goals for the first time against Peru in the semi-finals, they showed enough quality especially from the two-goal hero, Luis Suarez, a player who had to miss last year's World Cup semi-final match against the Netherlands because of his hand ball against Ghana in the quarters. Suarez has now led his country to the final where they will go above Argentina with a 15th win. This will evidently be a remarkable achievement for a country with a population of about three and a half million; is about a tenth of Argentina's and one fiftieth of Brazil's.

But no one will be writing off the chances of Paraguay who boast of a solid unit from their goalkeeper, Juston Villar, who has been outstanding in his shot stopping to the tireless running of forward, Nelson Haedo Valdez.

And they can make their own record if they go on to win the title on penalty kicks which would mean that they never actually won any match during duration or extra time. They drew all three of their group games, and have had  0-0 draws, first against Brazil and then against Venezuela in the semi-final before wins were confirmed by way of penalty shoot-outs.

So the expectation is not of a high-scoring match as goals have been few at this year's Copa. In the 570 minutes of football Uruguay have played in this year's tournament, there have been just nine goals. And Paraguay have only gone one better with 10. But all of Paraguay's 10 goals came in two group stage matches against Brazil and Venezuela with their other three results ending goalless.

Yet despite the lack of goals in games which Uruguay are involved in, they are the only side to have scored in all five matches (Chile and Argentina scored in their 4 games). So a low scoring war of attrition which Uruguay edge will be what those betting on football may go for.

Though fans will be praying that the final spectacle does not degenerate into a very physical affair as Uruguay have accrued 14 yellow cards on the game, with two yellow cards leading to a red, favourites lived up to their reputation as a fiercely physical and cynical side in their five matches so far.

Paraguay has also amassed 13 yellow cards as well as the customary red card which Jonathan Santana   

 received in their last match - though it was for a second bookable offence.

Uruguay Luis Suarez - The hero of the semi-final win over Peru. He was also instrumental in the sending off of Javier Mascherano in the quarter final

Nestor Fernando Muslera - The Lazio of Italy goal custodian made the decisive block on Carlos Tevez's penalty but pulled off unbelievable saves from Gonzalo Higuain. He can be said to be the main reason that Uruguay got over the Argentina obstacle.

Paraguay Justo Villar - Definitely a candidate for the most valuable player diadem and after signing for Estudiantes in Argentina, the 34-year old will be keen to help his team to their first major trophy in 32 years.

Marcelo Estigarribia - The 23-year old tricky winger who plays in Argentina with Newell´s Old Boys demoted Dani Alves to the Brazilian bench after the torture handed out to the Barcelona man in their 2 To 2.