What looked to be a 25-day celebration with the arrival of Copa America in the United States for the second time, saw the tournament marred by criticism, disorganization and violence; amid the chaos, Argentina was able to walk away smiling and bringing joy to its fans while staying at the top of the soccer pyramid in the Americas.
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Stadiums in poor condition, a pitched battle in Charlotte between Uruguayan players and Colombian fans, as well as the chaos prior to the tournament final where fans entered Hard Rock Stadium without tickets, these were also part of the story here as the U.S. prepares to host the World Cup in two years.
Conmebol has alot to think about for future Copa America editions as the voices of Marcelo Bielsa, Lionel Scaloni, Lionel Messi and Vinícius Jr. among others, ring loud against the management and organization of the event.
In spite of all this, the ball had to roll, and Argentina closed the curtain with the highest number of Copa America titles, breaking the tie they had with Uruguay at 15, as the biggest winner with 16 crowns in its trophy cabinet.
Argentina at the top of Copa America
- Argentina has been winning Copa América titles since 1921.
Since then, its trophy cabinet has been filled with the prizes from 1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993, 2021 and now 2024. Only Uruguay has closely rivaled them as they have switched places several times at the top spot over the years. The current top 5 winning teams are as follows: Argentina 16; Uruguay 15; Brazil 9; Paraguay 2; Chile 2.
- Argentina vs Spain, the battle for ‘Finalíssima‘
The fourth edition of the ‘Finalíssima‘, also known as the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions which matches the Euro winner against the Copa America winner, will pit Spain against Argentina in 2025, with the date and venue yet to be announced. Argentina can also boast being the team with the most wins in this competition with two – 1993 and most recently 2022, when they defeated Italy.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spanish team defeated England in the final of the Euro played at the Olympic stadium in Berlin and, hours later, it was Lionel Scaloni’s team that defined the match-up to the upcoming confrontation for soccer bragging rights between Europe and the Americas
- Lautaro Martínez, the top scorer with the most important goal
Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez finished Copa America as the top scorer with five goals, adding to the historic list of scorers in the oldest national team tournament in the world.
‘El Toro’ was crucial throughout the tournament, especially in the final, as his goal in the second extra time gave his national team the championship.
- Messi, in tears, left with an injury
Leo Messi was injured and had to leave Copa America final with a muscle injury in his right ankle, and was replaced by Nicolas Gonzalez.
While on the bench, the Albiceleste captain threw down his boots and burst into tears. In the first half, he had set off alarm bells when in the 35th minute he suffered a blow in a collision with Colombian Santiago Arias.
- Ángel Di María’s farewell
Ángel Di María closed the last chapter of his successful international career; on the day of his farewell to the Argentinean national team.
Di María played his 145th game with the Argentinean jersey, his last after announcing this Copa América was going to be his last tournament. He ended, his last game as an important contributor and going out a winner with the back-to-back championships.
- The avalanche of fans in Miami
An avalanche of fans jumped the turnstiles at the Hard Rock Stadium after overcoming the siege of security guards causing tension, which led to the delay of Copa America final for more than an hour.
The aggressive action of these fans, who did not have tickets and who were later arrested, caused panic among the ticket-holding fans and postponed the match that was scheduled for 8 pm ET.
Many players‘ families were left outside the stadium when the gates were abruptly closed.
- The records that belong to Messi
Lionel Messi added a new record to his career by becoming the player who has played in the most finals in Copa América history with five.
The Argentina captain reached the final in 2007, 2015, 2016, 2021 and 2024, thus surpassing his former teammate Javier Mascherano, current Argentina Olympic coach, who played in 2004, 2007, 2015 and 2016.
Messi also holds the record for most games played (39), the record for victories (24) and is, together with Brazilian Zizinho, the only one to have scored in six different editions (he only failed in 2011).
- Shakira brought rythm and calm back to Hard Rock Stadium
Shakira starred in Copa America final halftime show with her greatest hits on a night marked by chaos and disaster.
The Colombian singer’s performance lasted seven minutes and had the fans dancing with songs like“Hips Don’t Lie” and “Te felicito” before closing the show with “Puntería,” the official anthem of this Copa America.
- The Charlotte brawl
During the semifinal between Uruguay and Colombia at Bank of America Stadium, several Uruguayan players, including Darwin Núñez and Ronald Araújo, jumped into the stands where they were involved in a brawl with Colombia fans after the match.
The players jumped into the stands supposedly to look for their families and ended up getting involved in the fight while objects and liquids were rained on them.
“There wasn’t a single policeman, they went down after half an hour. It was a disaster and we were there sticking up for our players,” said José María Giménez after Uruguay’s defeat, contrary to reports from stadium security.
- Stadiums and heat, the criticizable
Players and coaches constantly criticized the state of several U.S. stadiums, which in some cases installed natural grass three days before the assigned match.
In another notable incident, second assistant referee, Guatemalan Humberto Panjoj, passed out during the match between Peru and Canada, from intense heat that hovered around 100+ degrees at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City.
- Brazil, Team USA and Mexico, the disappointments
Brazil, Team USA and Mexico were some of the teams that arrived at Copa America with the highest expectations but fell short in their participation.
None of the three teams managed to exploit their potential, since Team USA and Mexico, as Concacafguests, did not advance beyond the group stage, which cost Gregg Berhalter his job, as well as Jaime Lozano, who, according to several reports, will be dismissed from the Mexican National team in the next few days.
Meanwhile, Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Uruguay, which caused strong criticism from their fans after coming in second in their group stage.
- Canada and Venezuela, the best performers
Canada and Venezuela were the surprise teams of Copa América with performances that left a good look for them in the future.
The ‘Maple Leaf‘ team finished in fourth place after losing on penalties against Uruguay, while the‘Vinotinto’ team did a great job by topping their group ahead of Ecuador, Mexico and Jamaica, but was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Canada.
- Women made history
July 1 will go down in Copa America history after Brazilians Edina Alves and Neuza Back, and Colombian Mary Blanco became the first female referees to officiate a match in the tournament between Bolivia and Panama in Orlando.
- The new faces of South American soccer
Copa America witnessed the birth of the new stars of South American soccer highlighted by Brazilian Endrick and Ecuatorian Kendry Paez.
Endrick, who will join Real Madrid, became the second youngest Brazilian to play in Copa América, at 17 years old and 339 days; while Páez is the youngest debutant and scorer in the competition at 17 years old and 53 days.
