4 December 2009 - Maybe The Goalkeepers Spoke A Bit Too Soon

On 4 December 2009, Adidas introduced their controversial new match ball for the 2010 World Cup, the Jabulani.

Named after the Zulu word for "celebrate," the ball was made from eight spherically molded panels and had a textured surface designed to improve its aerodynamics. The result was unpredictable flight behavior which drew heavy criticism from several players. Goalkeepers were particularly unhappy, including Brazil's Julio Cesar, who called it a "supermarket ball," Spain's Iker Casillas, who said it was "horrible," and Italy's Gianluigi Buffon, who said it was "absolutely inadequate."

Predictably, players contracted to Adidas provided more favorable reviews, including such high-profile stars as Kaká ("just great"), Michael Ballack ("fantastic"), and Frank Lampard ("very strong").

The overall effect appeared to be a reduction in goalscoring, as the tournament had only 145 goals, the fewest of any World Cup since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1998.

25 July 2004 - At The Copa, Copa América

On 25 July 2004, Brazil defeated Argentina on penalties, 2-2 (2-4), in the Copa América Final at the Estadio Nacional in Lima, Peru.

First played in 1916, the Copa América is the oldest existing international tournament in the world. It is played among the 10 national sides in the South American football federation, CONMEBOL, along with two additional teams who are invited to round out the field to 12. For 2004, the invited teams were Mexico and Costa Rica.

Argentina finished second in its group to Mexico, then advanced to the final with knockout stage wins over Peru (1-0) and Colombia (3-0). Brazil also finished second in its group, to Paraguay, then defeated Mexico (4-0) and Uruguay (on penalties, 1-1 (5-3)) to reach the Final.

In the Final, Argentina took an early lead with a 20th-minute penalty kick from winger Kily González. Brazil equalized just before halftime, however, with a goal from Luisão in the 45th minute. The teams were just as evenly-matched in the second half, with Argentina going ahead with a strike from winger César Delgado in the 87th minute, only to see Brazilian striker Adriano pull his team level once again.

In penalties, Argentina's opening kick, from Andres D'Alessandro, was blocked by Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar, who guessed correctly with a diving save to his right. Defender Gabriel Heinze then missed Argentina's second attempt, while Brazil's players made all of theirs, giving Brazil their seventh Copa América trophy.