Copa America 2011: Best Goals from Sergio Aguero, Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan, Etc

As we approach the final of the 2011 Copa America, most viewers will agree that this edition of South America's biggest competition has left many viewers more disappointed than satisfied.

Instead of giving viewers free-flowing, attacking South American football, the 2011 Copa America was notable for its lack of goals. Whereas the 2007 edition of the Copa America ended with 86 goals scored, and the 2004 edition ended with 78 goals scored, the 2011 Copa America currently has only 46 goals scored, with two matches to go. Unless 12 goals are somehow scored over these next two games, that goal total will be the lowest goal total since 1987, when only 13 matches were played instead of the usual 24.

For an even more shocking statistic about how low-scoring this Copa has been, the 1.92 goals per game average of the 2011 Copa America is the lowest goals per game average in Copa America history, with the next closest average being the 2.12 goals scored per game at the 1989 Copa America.

Brazil and Argentina's early exits and their general inability to put in dominant offensive displays were major disappointments, and Paraguay's defensive approach, which has gotten them through the group stage with three draws and to the final with two penalty shootout wins, has been somewhat disappointing as well

But, despite all the disappointments, the 2011 Copa America has still featured some cracking and game-changing goals. In the upcoming slides, we take a look at the best goals of the tournament, in no particular order. 

Sergio Aguero Against Bolivia

In the very first match of the 2011 Copa America, Argentina found themselves trailing 1-0 after 74 minutes and headed for defeat against Bolivia.

Enter Aguero. The Argentine was subbed on for Ezequiel Lavezzi in the 70th minute, and five minutes later made Sergio Batista look like a genius by smashing in a spectacular volley into the Bolivia net after Burdisso chested the ball to him.

Sergio Aguero would be made a starter in all of Argentina's subsequent Copa America matches, and would produce a solid double to ensure Argentina's passage into the next round against Uruguay, where ultimately the team would fall and be knocked out of the tournament on penalty kicks. 

Jadson Against Paraguay

Following Brazil's poor performance against Venezuela in their opening match of the Copa America, coach Mano Menezes decided to insert Jadson into the lineup in place of Robinho on the right wing.

The decision looked likely to draw a lot of criticism, but Jadson silenced all the doubters in the 39th minute by opening the scoring with a low-driven shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the Paraguayan net.

Jadson's goal, however, was not enough to secure victory for Brazil as Paraguay roared back to take a 2-1 lead before Fred equalized for Brazil in the 89th minute.

Carlos Lobaton Against Colombia

After a scoreless 90 minutes, Carlos Lobaton finally broke the deadlock in the 101st minute of extra time in Peru's quarterfinal matchup with Colombia.

After a mix-up between the Colombia keeper and defense led to the keeper spilling the ball, Lobaton was quickest to react, and the midfielder smashed the ball into the top right corner of the net.

The goal came completely against the run of play, in a game largely dominated by Colombia, but effectively turned the tide of the game in Peru's favor. Peru would score one more goal, also against the run of play on a counterattack, but would lose to a strong Uruguayan side in the semifinals. 

Arturo Vidal Against Mexico

Another goal that was much more important than it was remarkable.

With a strong header, Arturo Vidal helped Chile complete its comeback against Mexico after going down 1-0 in the 40th minute.

The result helped Chile finish top of their group, but unfortunately Chile could not get past Venezuela in the quarterfinals.

Cesar Gonzalez Against Ecuador

In their second group match of the tournament, Venezuela went one better after their draw with Brazil and picked up a 1-0 win over Ecuador to go top of their group.

They had Cesar Gonzalez to thank for the goal, as the midfielder one-timed the shot into the back of the net with a powerful shot after a series of good passes presented him with the time and space necessary to produce the goal.

Fred Against Paraguay

This goal isn't as remarkable as most of the other goals on this list, but I had to include it for its importance.

Had Fred not equalized in the 89th minute for Brazil with this goal, Brazil would've lost and could easily have been dumped out of the competition before the knockout stages.

Fred's goal kept the pressure from getting too great on his fellow players, and helped them finish as the highest-ranked team in their group.

Juan Manuel Vargas Against Colombia

Following Carlos Lobaton's rocket in the 101st minute, this was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Colombia's keeper made a dreadful error that Paulo Guerrero capitalized on, and the Peruvian forward unselfishly passed the ball to an open Juan Vargas, who smashed the ball in off the crossbar, to effectively end any hope Colombia had of a comeback.

Felipe Caicedo Against Brazil

In what otherwise would've been a certain blowout, Felipe Caicedo kept Ecuador in the game with two well-taken equalizers.

Here, Felipe Caicedo picks up the ball a bit outside the box, and despite pressure from three defenders, drills the ball into the bottom left corner of Brazil's net from just inside the box.

Ecuador would go on to lose and crash out of the 2011 Copa America after picking up only one point in a 0-0 draw with Paraguay, but Felipe Caicedo definitely gave a good presentation of his skills to his suitors and will likely be even more in demand after showing that he can score against one of the best international teams in the world.

Salomon Rondon Against Paraguay

It's crazy to think that despite being on the receiving end of so many great goals, Paraguay still managed to make the final.

For the first goal of the game, Malaga CF striker Solomon Rondon picks up the ball following an error from the Paraguayan defense, and simply rifles the ball past Justo Villar and into the net.

Solomon Rondon's goal, however, would only be the first of six to be scored later in the match...

Humberto Suazo Against Venezuela

Although he didn't quite have an excellent tournament, Humberto Suazo definitely left his mark with a great equalizer against Venezuela in their quarterfinal fixture.

Down 1-0, Suazo showed amazing composure to stabilize himself with the ball, before unleashing an excellent strike that went in off the top crossbar.

Unfortunately Chile would concede the winner to Venezuela just 10 minutes later off a poor save by the Chilean keeper, and thus were knocked out at the quarterfinals stage.

Paolo Guerrero Against Venezuela

In the Third Place game against Venezuela, Guerrero was in fine form as he recorded a hat trick to help Peru record their highest finish in a Copa America since 1975 and virtually guarantee himself the golden boot.

Although all his goals were fairly impressive and well executed, this one stood above the rest. Here, Guerrero took advantage of a strong header up the field from his teammate to score. His first touch is spectacular, and takes the ball around his defender. Guerrero then follows that touch with a cool finish, slicing the ball across the goal and in the back of the net to put Peru up 3-1 and seal the win for his team. 

Luis Suarez Against Paraguay

Due to the scrappy nature of Luis Suarez's goals in the Copa, its been hard to include him on this list. Until today, that is.

To open the scoring for Uruguay and set them on their way to their 15th Copa America win, Luis Suarez excellently one-touched a lob pass sent over the defense from one of his teammate, and then firmly struck the ball of the post and in.

Diego Forlan Against Paraguay

Diego Forlan had a clear message for all his doubters today: I'm not done yet.

After a summer in which no teams have expressed any desire to sign the player, and Atletico Madrid have lowered their asking price to as little as seven million euros, Diego Forlan will have awoken his suitors and Atletico Madrid alike to the fact that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank after today's game.

His second goal essentially sealed the game, but his third goal is what put the icing on the cake. Admittedly, it didn't take much work from Forlan to put this away due to the excellent work of his strike partners Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez, but the name on the goal is still his nonetheless.