Brazil crowned Americas Cup champions

Brazil have been crowned champions of the 2014 Football 7-a-side Americas Cup after beating Argentina 3-0 at the Pan Am Fields in Toronto, Canada.

An early goal from Jose Guimares and a brace from Wanderson Oliveira was enough to see off Argentina and secure the gold medal.

The USA claimed the bronze medal, beating Canada 3-0, whilst Venezuela won 3-1 against Mexico to claim secure fifth place, meaning Mexico were the only side to miss out on a place at the TORONTO 2015 Para Pan American Games.

Brazil were in high-scoring form entering the final, having beaten hosts Canada in a rampant 6-0 victory in the semi-final.

And in the final, they raced into an early lead on the quarter hour mark when Guimares fired home.

Their advantage was doubled seven minutes later when Oliveira got his first of the afternoon, before adding his second and Brazil’s third just before the interval.

Argentina had enjoyed some inspired play in the first-half, but as the game wore on, Brazil’s defence proved to be too strong and they could not find a way through.

The bronze medal game followed a similar script, with the USA’s Gavin Sibayan opening the scoring after just six minutes.

On the quarter hour mark, Kevin Hensley added the USA’s second, before Sibayan dealt the final crushing blow to Canada just six minutes later. Despite a rallied second-half from the hosts, there was no way back.

Arguably the best drama of the day came in the 5-6th place playoff, as Venezuela scored two late goals to beat Mexico.

With all the goals coming in the second-half, Venezuela took the lead after 37 minutes when Jose Quintana fired home.

Mexico’s Edgar Roman quickly equalised, before Yari Villegas restored Venezuela’s lead with nine minutes to play.

And with moments to spare, Quintana scored again to ensure his side secured fifth place and that last spot at TORONTO 2015.