Brazil owe a debt to Daniel Alves

A star turn from Daniel Alves helped Brazil to defeat heavy favourites Argentina and claim the 2007 Copa América with a 3-0 victory in the final in Venezuela.

Gilberto suspended
Although a blistering strike from Real Madrid CF forward Julio Baptista put Dunga’s men in control after just four minutes, it was the introduction of Sevilla FC right-back Daniel Alves last night which swung the match firmly in Brazil's favour. The 24-year-old entered the fray on the half-hour as a replacement for the injured FC Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Elano Blumer, who himself was only in the starting lineup because of captain Gilberto Silva's suspension.

Breakaway goal
Within ten minutes of coming on, Daniel Alves provided a teasing inswinging cross from the right which pressured Argentina captain Roberto Ayala to put through his own goal for Brazil's second. Midway through the second half, Daniel Alves himself converted the third goal on the counterattack as he scored from Vágner Love's precise pass. Such form is sure to increase speculation about his future, although he at last has the prospect of UEFA Champions League football to look forward to with two-time UEFA Cup winners Sevilla.

Dunga delight
"Daniel Alves has played in that position for his club, he has speed, he is strong and he can shoot from outside the area," said Dunga, the former ACF Fiorentina and VfB Stuttgart midfielder. "I thought he could exploit the left side of the Argentina defence, where they were having problems." Brazil were always on top and although Madrid forward Robinho failed to add to the six goals that has left him the tournament's top scorer, Argentinian forwards Lionel Messi and Carlos Tévez, and an out-of-sorts Juan Román Riquelme could not capitalise.