MARACAIBO, Venezuela (AP) — The faces were new, the result wasn’t.Despite taking a team that included several upstarts replacing the well-known regulars, Brazil still prevailed at the Copa America, while Argentina and its roster dominated by players from European clubs extended its frustration at South America’s nations championship.

Sunday’s 3-0 victory by Brazil over Argentina in the final confirmed the continent’s hierarchy heading into World Cup qualifying in September, and added to the 2004 final where the Selecao scored an injury time equalizer and prevailed over its archrival on penalties.

It was Brazil’s second straight title and eighth overall, while Argentina remained looking for a record 15th — and first since 1993.

The Brazilians came without all of their first-choice players, most notably Ronaldinho and Kaka, who asked to be excused after the European club season.

But few seemed to miss the Brazilian superstars in a tournament that produced 3.3 goals a game and delighted capacity crowds at Venezuela’s sold-out stadiums, specially built or refurbished at a cost of US$1 billion to mark the country’s first staging of the 91-year-old tournament.

Argentina provided the most dramatic moments until stumbling against Brazil thanks to world-class goals by Lionel Messi and inspired performances by Juan Roman Riquelme and Carlos Tevez.

Yet it still wasn’t enough to end 14 years of frustration.

“This wasn’t the final we expected,” said Roberto Ayala, whose own-goal in the 40th minute against Brazil crushed Argentina’s resolve before halftime.

Brazil’s title — its fourth in the past five tournaments — was a victory for efficiency over beauty.

Manager Dunga was harshly criticised in Brazil for abandoning the traditional, “jogo bonito” style preferred by the team’s fans.

Even against Argentina, Brazil rarely impressed collectively, relying on a counterattack strategy to subdue its opponent.

Real Madrid striker Robinho and Julio “the beast” Baptista, however, drew praise for their individual play.

“Lots of people criticised our team, but we’re the champions,” said Robinho, the tournament’s top scorer with six goals.

Fulfilling nearly everybody’s prediction for the final, Brazil and Argentina once more validated themselves as a tier above the rest of South America.

Uruguay, however, has established itself ahead of the rest of the pack.

Cristian Rodriguez, a 21-year-old attacking midfielder for Paris St. Germain, dominated in helping the 14-time champion reach the semifinals for the fourth consecutive time.

It faltered at the very end, losing on penalties to Brazil in the semifinals and then collapsing against Mexico 3-1 in the third-place game after it lost captain Diego Lugano in the 38th minute.

Mexico’s finish should help consolidate the tenure of manager Hugo Sanchez, who fielded a new lineup devoid of many of the players who appeared under predecessor Ricardo La Volpe in the 2006 World Cup. El Tri’s third-place showing came after it was beaten by the United States in the Gold Cup final last month.

The tournament’s biggest disappointment was Colombia, which arrived to Venezuela touted as a title contender but returned after three games and with manager Jorge Luis Pinto’s future in doubt after the “cafeteros” allowed a tournament-high nine goals in the first round.

Ecuador, which qualified for the last two World Cups, also was eliminated after a winless first round and likewise lost some of its luster entering qualifying.

Brazil’s 6-1 blowout of Chile in the quarterfinals already has forced the resignation of Nelson Acosta as manager. But the bigger blow to the team’s future came when after the team returned home and the Chilean federation suspended captain Jorge Valdivia and five others for a drunken rampage in their hotel.

Host Venezuela made history at the tournament in more ways the one.

Hosting the tournament for the first time, Venezuela won just its second match and first its 1967 debut, 2-0 against Peru, on its way to an admirable quarterfinal appearance.

The Venezuelans also proved themselves capable organizers, though some stadiums were unfinished and fans complained of being unable to purchase tickets. Venezuela’s political divide was felt at most matches, when bored fans chanted slogans against President Hugo Chavez, but feared disturbances never materialized.

CONMEBOL is expected to award the next Copa to Argentina in October, but reports of a possible bid by Mexico could take the tournament out of the continent.