Roger Morph 
The high drama of the 2024 Copa América, the quadrennial soccer tournament, continues to capture the attention and emotions of the Americas.
Since June 20, in matches across the USA, 16 top national teams of South America and the North American CONCACAF region have been “Rocking the Continent” to lift the prestigious Copa América trophy. Miami Gardens Hard Rock Stadium, the 65,000-seat home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, is just days away from hosting the eagerly-awaited 48th final of the world’s oldest continental competition on July 14.
With more memorable upsets, shocks, and surprises in store until the Florida climax, could this game of two halves see the hopes of the reigning champions Argentina dashed, with close favorites Brazil or Uruguay crowned winners instead?
Argentina
All eyes are on Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina at the 2024 American Soccer Championship. They were the FIFA World Cup winners in 2022 and have won 15 Copa América titles. Victory against Brazil in 2021 saw Argentina win the coveted title for the first time since 1993.
La Albiceleste’s winning streak, with goals from Julián Álvarez (Manchester City) and Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan) and the clean sheets of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, saw the team effortlessly top their group. A second Copa América winners medal for the 37-year-old captain and legendary footballer Lionel Messi could be the last in an international tournament for the record eight-time winner of the Ballon d’Or.
The rapid ascent of superstar striker Lautaro Martínez continues, having netted in all of Argentina’s group matches. This 26-year-old scoring powerhouse, Serie A’s Capocannoniere last season with 24 goals, is the competition’s top scorer as Argentina proceeds on their unbeaten journey to Miami Gardens in the knockout stages.
As spectators of the third most-watched soccer tournament have seen, the beautiful game is still “a funny old game,” with the US hosts crashing out after a controversial 66th-minute Uruguay goal while competition underdogs Panama reached their first-ever knockout round after an epic 3-1 win over World Cup strugglers Bolivia. Even with favorable odds of winning the 2024 American Soccer Championship – despite Messi’s minor leg injury sustained against Chile – Argentina’s dream of a historic 16th victory is still all to play for, with rivals Brazil and Uruguay having also reached the knockout stages.
Brazil
The five-time FIFA World Cup winners seek a tenth Copa América title after a 1-0 defeat when tournament hosts Argentina in the 2021 Rio de Janeiro final.
The largely inexperienced Brazil team entered this year’s tournament led by 62-year-old head coach Dorival Júnior (appointed in January) with 22 years of extensive football managerial experience in the country. Notable players missing through injury are the Copa 2021 players: Tottenham’s Richarlison (calf) and top-scorer Neymar Jr. (knee).
Playing alongside established stars like Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, Real Madrid’s forward Vinícius Júnior, and West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá is the 17-year-old hot prospect Endrick, a soon-to-be Los Blancos teammate of Vinícius Júnior. When aged only 15 and playing for São Paulo’s Palmeiras football club, Endtick was tipped as the “next Ronaldo” (his football hero!), sparking a flurry of offers and interest from some of the world’s biggest football clubs.
Although struggling to a 0-0 draw in their opening match with Costa Rica, ranked 52 in Fifa’s world
ratings, a rejuvenation of the footballing giants followed with a 4-1 win against Paraguay, which saw “The Seleção” qualify for the knockout stages.
If runners-up of their group, the tournament will experience the classic Brazil-Uruguay rivalry in the quarter-finals.
Uruguay
The inaugural tournament winners in 1916, today Uruguay are joint record holders with Argentina for winning the Copa América 15 times, having last won the title in 2011.
For the second-smallest country population-wise in the competition, Uruguay is a powerful and encouraged team after registering 2-0 wins over both Brazil and Argentina in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, attributed to the unique playing style and tactics of their influential manager Marcelo “El Loco” Bielsa.
The striking force of Copa veteran and Uruguayan all-time leading goal scorer Luis Suárez may be nearing its end, but Liverpool forward Darwin Núñez, with newfound confidence, has equally shown his prowess on the international stage with goals in the 3-1 win over Panama and the 5-0 routing of Bolivia.
By beating the USA, Uruguay finished top of their group.
The Road to Miami Gardens
The knockouts of the 2024 Copa América promise all the drama and uncertainties of any major sporting competition, so tune in to be part of the excitement of the soccer-crazy continent.
The climax on Sunday, July 14, will be an event to eclipse the UEFA Euro 2024 final on the same day if the football giants Uruguay, Brazil, or Argentina are competing. Nothing is ever certain in soccer!
From tickets to teams, find out more about the 2024 Copa América by visiting the tournament’s official website. Always remember to gamble responsibly.
