Argentina
Brazil
Brazil hosted the 47th Copa America from 13 June to 11 July 2021, bringing together the best football teams in South America. Despite initial plans to hold the mundial in Argentina and Colombia, changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as political and epidemiological challenges, led to the competition being moved to Brazil. An important role in the change of venue was played by CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez’s appeal to the Brazilian leadership, which, despite protests from state governors due to the difficult epidemiological situation, made it possible to find a new home arena for the tournament.
The competition featured 10 national teams, divided into two groups according to geographical principle. Interestingly, although teams from Australia and Qatar were initially invited, they declined to participate due to the difficulties caused by the pandemic. Brazil, a past champion Copa America 2019, participated in the tournament.
The Copa America 2021 was held in unusual circumstances, which necessitated a change in the usual format. A total of ten teams participated in the tournament, which was divided into two groups of five teams each. The teams met each other in a head-to-head format within their group. At the end of the group stage, the top four teams from each group went on to the playoffs.
The playoffs included quarter-final matches, semi-finals, a third place match and a final. The pairs for the quarter-finals were formed according to the following principle: the leader of Group A would play the last team of Group B, the second team of Group A and the third team of Group B, and vice versa. As a result, the pairs of quarter-finals were as follows:
The winners of the quarter-finals advanced to the semi-finals, the results of which determined the finalists. The third place game and final match revealed the winner of Copa America 2021 and the third place team. The entire tournament was played without spectators in the stadiums, one of many adaptations to the global epidemiological situation.
Group A
Group B
In the quarter-finals, future 2022 World Cup winner Argentina played against Ecuador and won 3-0, thanks to goals from Rodrigo De Paula, Lautaro Martinez and a superb free-kick from Lionel Messi. Brazil faced Chile and won 1-0 with a high class performance. Colombia and Uruguay played a penalty shootout after a draw in regulation time, where Colombia won. Peru and Paraguay also went to penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw, with the Peruvians winning.
On 10 July, Colombia and Peru met in the bronze medal match of Copa America 2021. The match started with Peru opening the scoring, but Colombia were able to equalise and take the lead, showing their character and will to win. The hero of the match was Luis Diaz, whose irresistible long-range shot in the offset time brought a 3-2 victory for Colombia. This match remained in the memory of the fans thanks to the intense struggle and unpredictability until the last minutes.
The Copa America 2021 final between Argentina and Brazil took place at the famous Maracana Stadium and made history as the match in which Argentina, under the leadership of Lionel Messi, managed to break years of waiting and win the trophy by beating Brazil 1-0. The only goal of the match was scored by Angel Di Maria in the 22nd minute of the match, realising a top-class pass from Rodrigo De Paul. After the goal, Argentina focused on defensive actions, successfully repelling all attempts by the Brazilians to level the score.
Top scorers:
The Copa America 2021 will be remembered as a tournament where dreams come true, where heroes are born not only in the finals, but in every game on the way to the top.
The 2021 Copa America will be remembered for the highlights of sporting achievements and surprises: Argentina’s victory, which brought it its first trophy in 28 years under the leadership of the famous Lionel Messi, Brazil’s reaching the final of the tournament for the second time in a row, Peru’s unexpected fourth place and Colombia’s bronze medal. It is also worth noting that Uruguay left the tournament already in the first round of the playoffs, which was one of the most discussed moments of the competition.
This America’s Cup not only confirmed its reputation as one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world, but also demonstrated its ability to adapt to unpredictable circumstances while maintaining its competitive spirit and outstanding sporting achievements.
Argentina won the Copa America 2021 after defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Angel Di Maria scored a goal in the 22nd minute of the match, which was a decisive moment for the team led by Lionel Scaloni and brought Argentina the deserved trophy.
Lionel Messi of Argentina has been named the best player of the Copa America 2021. Messi made a significant contribution to his team’s success in the playoffs, scoring 4 goals and making 5 assists during the tournament. His leadership and contribution to the Argentine national team’s play was highly praised by experts and fans alike.
The Copa America 2021 was originally scheduled to be held in Argentina and Colombia, but due to political and epidemiological circumstances was moved to Brazil, the calendar remained the same. The tournament matches were played in several stadiums across the country, including the MaracanΓ£ in Rio de Janeiro, where the final match was played.
10 national teams participated in Copa 2021. The teams were divided into two groups of 5 teams each for the group stage games, the first matches were held on 13 June. Initially, 12 teams were scheduled to participate, but the national teams of Australia and Qatar refused to participate due to changes in the schedule of qualifying matches for the World Cup 2022 and the epidemiological situation.
