Copa America 2021 was supposed to take place in 2020 but due to the COVID outbreak, the tournament was postponed to 2021. Unlike the Euro 2020, Copa America 2020 did not retain its name due to two guest nations, Qatar and Australia pulling out.
The tournament was originally scheduled to take place in Colombia and Argentina but due to security reasons, Colombia pulled out. Argentina soon followed Colombia, leaving the tournament without a host. Brazil came to the rescue as they offered to host the tournament at four venues – Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Cuiaba and Goiania.
Argentina emerged as the winners beating arch-rivals Brazil 1-0 in the final at Marcana. This was their first Copa triumph since 1993.
Group Stage
Argentina found themselves in Group A alongside Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. Albiceleste drew their first game against Chile followed by two consecutive 1-0 wins over Uruguay and Paraguay.
In their final group match against Bolivia, they comfortably won 4-1. Argentina finished top of group A with Lionel Messi scoring 3 goals.
Quarter Final
In the quarter-finals, Argentina had to face Ecuador, who limped to the quarter-final with three draws and one defeat in Group B, for a place in the last 4.
Messi again was the star of the show providing two assists and scoring one in injury time to book a place in the semifinal.
Semi-Final
Argentina faced Colombia in the semi-final. Lautaro Martinez put Lionel Scaloni’s side into the lead in the first half. Colombia leveled the game in the second half through Luis Diaz’s dink.
No side was able to score a winner after 120 minutes and the game headed into penalties. Emi Martinez saved three penalties in the shootout taking Argentina to a sixth Copa final.
Final
In the final at Marcana, a small number of fans were allowed inside the stadium to add a bit more of an atmosphere to the final between two of the oldest foes in football history.
Di Maria’s goal in the 22nd minute was enough to give Argentina its first Copa America title in 28 years. This was also Messi’s first-ever International trophy with Argentina.
Argentina’s Group, Fixtures, Squad at Copa America 2024
This year Argentina has been drawn alongside Peru, Chile and Canada in group A. They will play their first game against Canada on 20 June at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Their second game will be against Chile on 25 June at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey and will play their final group game against Peru at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 29 June.
Argentina: (Provisional Squad)
Goalkeepers: Franco Armani (River Plate), Gerónimo Rulli (Ajax), Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Nottingham Forest), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Germán Pezzella (Real Betis), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon), Lucas Martínez Quarta (Fiorentina), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid), Marcos Acuña (Sevilla), Valentín Barco (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Midfielders: Guido Rodríguez (Real Betis), Leandro Paredes (AS Roma), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Rodrigo de Paul (Atlético Madrid), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham), Ángel Di María (Benfica), Valentín Carboni (Monza)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Ángel Correa (Atlético Madrid), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Nicolas González (Fiorentina), Lautaro Martínez (Internazionale), Julián Álvarez (Manchester City)
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
