Argentina's unforgettable campaign at CONMEBOL Copa America 2021™

• The Albiceleste put an end to a 28-year streak without titles at the Maracanã Stadium.
• Di María, the man of the important goals for the Argentine national team, gave them their 15th CONMEBOL Copa América™️ trophy.

At the CONMEBOL Copa America 2021™, Argentina was crowned champion for the 15th time, after beating host Brazil in the final at Maracanã Stadium.

Under the helm of coach Lionel Scaloni and the leadership of Lionel Messi on the pitch, the Albiceleste finished the tournament undefeated to lift the title after 28 years, with 5 wins and 2 draws.

The CONMEBOL Copa America 2021™ was the first step towards Argentina’s final consecration as world champions in Qatar 2022.

 

– The road to the title –

 

– Argentina 1-1 Chile – Group Stage

The Argentine debut for Group A of CONMEBOL Copa América 2021™️ took place on June 14th. The Albiceleste drew 1-1 with Chile with a great free kick goal by Lionel Messi at the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro.

– Argentina 1-0 Uruguay – Group Stage

In the 2nd round of the Group Stage, Argentina beat Uruguay 1-0 at the Mané Garrincha National Stadium, in Brasília, on June 18. Lionel Messi had a fantastic performance and was responsible for the cross that resulted in Guido Rodríguez’s goal. With the result, Albiceleste had the chance to secure a spot in the knockout stage with one more win.

– Argentina 1-0 Paraguay – Group Stage

Another 1-0 victory, this time against Paraguay in the 3rd round, gave momentum to the Argentine dream. In a decisive match at Mané Garrincha National Stadium on June 21, a goal by ‘Papu’ Gómez, 10 minutes into the first half, secured a spot for Scaloni’s team in the next stage.

– Bolivia 1-4 Argentina – Group Stage

Argentina ended their Group Stage campaign on June 28, with a 4-1 win over Bolivia at the Arena Pantanal, in Cuiabá. On this day, Lionel Messi became the player with the most appearances for the Albiceleste, with 148 matches. Two goals from the star, one from ‘Papu’ Gómez and another from Lautaro Martínez left Argentina alone at the top of Group A.

– Argentina 3-0 Ecuador – Quarter-finals

In the quarter-final game, Argentina faced Ecuador at the Pedro Ludovico Olympic Stadium, in the city of Goiânia, on July 3. The team cruised to a 3-0 victory with a magnificent performance by their captain Lionel Messi, who converted an incredible free kick in injury time, after assisting Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martinez for the first two goals.

– Argentina 1 (3)-(2) 1 Colombia – Semifinals

For the semi-finals, Argentina met Colombia on July 6 at the Mané Garrincha National Stadium, in one of the most memorable matches of the CONMEBOL Copa América 2021™️. In regulation time they drew 1-1, but Lionel Messi’s team emerged as winners on penalties.

Emiliano Martínez saved three kicks in the shootout, in which Argentina defeated Colombia 3-2, and became the hero of the night in Brasília. This result confirmed the most desired and expected final: Argentina vs. Brazil.

– Argentina 1-0 Brazil – Final

In a dream final, Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 at the Maracanã Stadium to become CONMEBOL Copa América™ champions after a 28-year drought.

The exceptional Ángel Di María, with an exquisite finish, converted the only goal of the match in the first half, after a great pass from Rodrigo De Paul, another key player for Argentina that night.

– Outstanding players –

As expected, Lionel Messi won the Player of the Tournament award. His 4 goals (which also earned him the top scorer position alongside Colombian Luis Díaz), 5 assists and leadership in the Argentine squad made him the undisputed most outstanding player in the competition.

Emiliano Martínez, a hero in the semifinal against Colombia and with a great performance in the final, won the Best Goalkeeper award, in a CONMEBOL Copa América in which the goalkeepers clearly stood out. Martínez conceded only 2 goals in 6 games and had a clean sheet in four of them.

Cristian Romero stood out in the defensive end, as an overwhelming protector virtually impossible for opposing forwards to beat, with an average of 4.7 recoveries per game and no goals conceded by his team while he was on the pitch.

Rodrigo De Paul was instrumental in the Albiceleste midfield, recovering the ball 32 times, creating 6 goal chances (second behind Messi for Argentina, with 21) and providing an inch perfect pass to Ángel Di María’s goal in the final.