Argentina fans were stunned at the final whistle as their team, billed to be the favorites to lift the trophy, was thrashed 3-0 by n inexperienced Brazilian team in the Copa America final on Sunday.

Alfio Basile's men were aiming for an unprecedented 15th Copa America title, but their first since the 1993 victory in Ecuador. But Argentina was unable to reproduce the splendid form that had catapulted the team into the final in front of the physical superiority shown by the Brazilians.

Brazil took an early lead in the match when Gilberto Silva's replacement, Elano hit a great long ball towards Julio Baptista and the Real Madrid converted the chance with an exquisite finish over the head of Roberto Abbondanzieri.

Argentina were shocked out of their sleep and very nearly got an equalizer just 5 minutes later when Juan Sebastian Veron's light headed touch set up Riquelme, but the midfielder only managed to hit the post from outside the area.

Brazil settled down with the single aim of stifling its opponents and the fabled trio of Messi, Tevez and Riquelme were unable to find time on the ball and with them kept quite, Argentina was unable to create any chances to come back into the match.

Things took a turn for worse in the 40th minute when Roberto Ayala's attempts to clear Daniel Alves cross resulted in the Real Zaragoza defender deflecting the ball into his own net. Argentina looked toothless in attack in the second half and the match went out of their control when Brazil added a third in the 68th minute when a delightful and swift counter attack saw Alves slot home his first goal of the campaign.

Argentina looked to have pulled one back through Messi but his effort was ruled out as offside, but by then the match was all but over for the Argentines.