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First Round Highlights: Copa América 2024 Kicks Off
The first round of the group stage of the Copa América 2024 kicked off with some thrilling moments and standout performances. Here’s a rundown of the most important events from the opening matches!
CONMEBOL Copa América Round 1 Results
The tournament started on June 20th with Argentina securing a 2-0 victory over Canada, accompanied by a ceremonial performance from Colombian singer Feid. Here’s how the matches went:
Argentina 2-0 Canada
Peru 0-0 Chile
Ecuador 1-2 Venezuela
Mexico 1-0 Jamaica
United States 2-0 Bolivia
Uruguay 3-1 Panama
Colombia 2-1 Paraguay
Brazil 0-0 Costa Rica
Breakout Stars of the First Round
Christian Pulisic (USA)
The USA secured their first victory against Bolivia with an early goal by Christian Pulisic. Just three minutes into the game, Pulisic received the ball near the Bolivian area, skillfully maneuvered past defenders, and curled a precise shot into the corner of the net, leaving the Bolivian goalkeeper with no chance to defend. This goal set the tone for the match, emphasizing why he is one of the key players for the American team.
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Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Lionel Messi was instrumental in Argentina’s win over Canada. At the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the captain created several opportunities, including a crucial pass that led to Julián Álvarez’s goal. Although Messi missed a couple of clear chances and took a hard hit to the knee, he managed to recover and assist Lautaro Martínez in sealing the victory. His performance reminded everyone why he is considered the best in the world.
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Darwin Núñez (Uruguay)
Uruguay’s 3-1 victory over Panama saw Darwin Núñez demonstrating his exceptional skill, energy, and talent. The Liverpool player continually motivated both fans and his teammates, and despite missing some chances, Núñez’s overall performance and goal played a key factor in Uruguay’s successful start to the tournament.
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Brazil’s Disappointing Debut
Brazil, one of the top contenders to win the Copa América, had a disappointing debut, tying 0-0 against Costa Rica. The Brazilian team was able to create several chances but failed in their attempt to convert them. In a controversial moment, a goal by Marquinhos was disallowed by VAR due to an offside position by Rodrygo. In the end, Brazil couldn’t break through Costa Rica’s tough defense, despite dominating possession and continually pressing forward.
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Enner Valencia’s Red Card
During the match between Ecuador and Venezuela, captain Enner Valencia made a dangerous move when, in an attempt to reach a high ball, he accidentally kicked José Martínez in the chest. Initially shown a yellow card, the decision was upgraded to a red after a VAR review. This incident became a major talking point due to the perceived recklessness of Valencia’s actions.
Field Conditions Controversy
Players and coaches criticized the conditions of the playing fields. At the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Lionel Scaloni and several Argentine players voiced their concerns about the poor quality of the pitch. “We have known for even months that we were going to play here and two days ago they changed the grass. The stadium is beautiful, but with today’s grass it is not up to par for this type of players,” he stated at a press conference. The criticism also extended to other venues with Chilean coach Ricardo Gareca and American midfielder Weston McKennie echoing similar sentiments. The complaints highlighted issues like uneven surfaces and recently laid grass, which affected the quality of play.
Racist Abuse Incident
Canada reported racist abuse directed at one of their players following the defeat against Argentina. The abuse occurred on social media, targeting defender Moise Bombito after he made a tackle on Lionel Messi. Canada Soccer, CONCACAF, and CONMEBOL swiftly condemned the racist comments and are working together to actively address the issue.
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