The most controversial Copa America tournament came to an end on Sunday.
The most ancient competition in the football world came to an end when Lionel Messi, one of the best footballers in history, has finally led his national team to win an international title, maybe in his last chance. It was probably one of the worst Copa America tournaments in history, undoubtedly the saddest one, with empty stadiums due to the pandemic, and that "wasn't interesting no one outside South America".
But eventually, the thing that we will remember the most from this tournament is the giant gorilla that Messi took off from his back. It's time for BabaGol to summarize Copa America 2021.
The Good
Argentina
Argentina was supposed to be one of the tournament's hosts along with Colombia. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the country withdraws from being the host, and the competition moved to Brazil. Not many fans believed that the team could win when the bitter rival host it. Not many fans thought that Messi would achieve a title with the 'Albiceleste'. Brazil was in good form during the World Cup qualifiers before the tournament, and Argentina didn't impress. When Copa America started, Argentina continued its form but managed to win, thanks to Messi, who had a fantastic tournament. They did enough to reach the final, their sixth major final in 17 years, and for the first time, Argentina was the underdog. A true underdog in the final. Maybe this was just what they needed, to play in the final when the pressure is not on them. It was Messi's worst game in the tournament, but one magical play by Rodrigo De Paul and Angel Di Maria was enough for Argentina to end their 28-year-drought and to win their 15th Copa America and the first since 1993. Argentina won five matches and drew twice to eventually beat their biggest rival and, most importantly, prevented Brazil from winning their fourth Copa America title in the last seven tournaments.
Lionel Messi and Neymar
The best players of the tournament, by far. For Messi, it was a dream come true, winning the title with Argentina while he was in fantastic form. He finished with four goals, five assists, and maybe the best football he ever showed while wearing the albiceleste jersey. The tournament couldn't end with a different scenario. In Brazil, Neymar played as a leader and was involved almost in every goal of Brazil. You could also see that he matured and carried the team as a leader. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't enough, but it was worth everything to see him and Messi, the two best friends, hugging each other for several minutes after the final whistle. For Messi, it was probably the last Copa America. Neymar will have another chance to win it.
Lucho Diaz and Dibu Martinez shine
Five years ago, Luis 'Lucho' Diaz, an anonymous, only wanted to take a photo with his idol, James Rodriguez. Today he is one of the hottest names in the South American market. Diaz had an outstanding tournament, finished as the top scorer alongside Lionel Messi with four goals. The goals he scored against Brazil and Peru were among the best goals of the competition. No doubt that after Copa America, he will own the spot as the left-winger in the starting lineup of Colombia.
Emiliano 'Dibu' Martinez was supposed to be the replacement of Franco Armani in Argentina's goal. But when Armani has tested positive for Covid-19, it was Dibu who took his place. First in the qualifiers and then in the Copa. He had a great tournament, conceded only three goals in seven games. His most significant moment was during the penalty shootout against Colombia. The trickery and trash-talk he sent towards the Colombian players helped Argentina win and go to the final. There, he had his moments when Brazil pressed to get the equalizer but failed against the 28-year-old goalkeeper.
Also worth mentioning are Paqueta from Brazil, Wilmar Barrios from Colombia, and Gianluca Lapadula from Peru, who also shined during the tournament.
The Bad
The format
This tournament used to be prestigious in the past, even when it took place every two years. Twenty years ago, CONMEBOL decided to hold it every four years. Still, weird decisions and interests by the CONMEBOL saw no less than five(!) tournaments in the past ten years, with four of them taking place between 2015 to 2021. It harmed the competition's reputation severely. Also, this year's format was the worst. It was the first time in 30 years that only South American teams participated, but the structure that four teams out of five advances to the quarterfinal in each group are a complete failure. Besides the South American nations, the fans in the rest of the world pretty much ignored Copa America when the European Championship takes place simultaneously.
Empty stadiums
It wasn't CONMEBOL's fault, but the South American continent has its tournaments and local leagues without fans due to the pandemic. Every sports competition isn't the same without fans in the stadium, but it seems that in South America, it's even more crucial. South American fans are the most colourful and unique fans globally, and without them, the tournament is not the same. All the games sounded like a practice match, and of course, it also influences the players themselves, who didn't look motivated at all. Another question is why the CONMEBOL allowed thousands of fans in the final but not the rest of the tournament?
VAR in South America
Three years after the referees used the VAR for the first time in a major tournament, it seems that while in Europe they adjusted the idea, in South America, there is still a long way to go. We mentioned it after the 2019 Copa America, but two years later and nothing's changed. Ominous decisions despite using VAR, decisions that took several minutes (218 seconds on average compared to 89 seconds in Euro 2020), uneven calls between similar plays all continues to overthrow the tournament's prestige. The problem is not the VAR, but it seems that the referees in South America don't know how and when to operate the system.
In conclusion, it wasn't a regular Copa America as we know it. The level wasn't high, the atmosphere wasn't existing, and since the Euro took place simultaneously, the Copa was almost unseen for the rest of the world. It would be better if CONMEBOL would cancel it instead of holding it. Still, when the numbers of viewers dramatically decreased compared to past tournaments, maybe now the CONMEBOL will fix the damage for the future. South America and South American football deserve a much better competition.
Photo: CONMEBOL official Twitter account.
