Arguably the most promising Brazilian striker since Alexandre Pato broke into the scene, Gabriel Jesus is already making waves in Europe, as giants like Barcelona and Manchester City are already reportedly battling for the signature of this 19-year-old wunderkind.
Lionel Messi does it again for Argentina. His glory run at these Copa America games continued on Saturday night as he played a beautiful ball to set up Higuain for Argentina's first goal of the night. What a ball and what a finish by Higuain who has been brilliant. As soon as Messi stepped on the field in Argentina's third group play match, the level of play ramped up. The now 'scruffy' veteran has time and time again shown people why he is one of the greatest with his recent performances.
Alexis Sanchez unleashed a vicious strike in the 50th minute to double Chile's lead over Panama in the Copa Americas. An absolute perfect hit to say the least that left the goalkeeper or any aspect of human life no chance at reacting that fast. Worth a few watches and a note to watch Chile's next game because you never know when Alexis will do it again. Well done son. Have a day!
Bolivia were done and dusted before the match even started. Chile, the defending Copa champions, were determined to make the world’s 82nd ranked side suffer. It was all Chile could do to make up for their disappointing defeat to Argentina.
Chile spent the first hour of the match accumulating almost 80% of possession while limiting Bolivia to a single shot. In the 58th minute, Bolivia introduced little-known playmaker Jhasmani Campos. Campos must not have been following or paying attention to the script, because he immediately turned the game on its head.
Yesterday in Peru's 2-2 tie with Ecuador Christian Cueva did one of Ecuador's defenders so dirty he might have to leave the sport forever. Heck, he might have to leave all of civilization behind and live in a cave and take a vow of silence and grow a big long beard after what Cueva did to him.
And, of course, we have some reaction shots.
Uruguay's Copa America odds took an unexpected hit Wednesday when coach Oscar Tabarez revealed star striker Luis Suarez will not be available tonight against Venezuela and may be out for the entire tournament.
From Yahoo:
"Luis Suarez is still in recovery, it's the 17th day, and he is still not ready. That being the case, he will not play," Tabarez told a press conference on Wednesday.
With Neymar sitting out of Copa America, someone has to fill the space. Phillipe Coutinho did so against Haiti Wednesday night as he put three balls past Haiti's goalkeeper to help Brazil snag 3 points and a 7-1 win. His first goal was a screamer that could have left a hole in the back of the net. Check out this blast from the youngster!
Twenty four players born outside the Americas are playing in the Copa America Centenario, and 23 of them are Europeans, so they might have been able to play in Euro 2016.
Take Gonzalo Higuain, for example. Higuain was born on December 10, 1987, in France, but barely stayed in Europe a few months before going to Argentina, where he remained throughout his development as a player before signing with Real Madrid in January 2007. Higuain was born in France because his father Jorge, also a footballer, played in Brest.
Remember in the 2014 World Cup when Germany played Brazil in the semifinals and thumped the hosts 7-1, so thorough a defeat that the Brazil's soccer governing body is withholding its two best players (Neymar and Thiago Silva, who, concidentally, both missed the game against Germany) from the Copa America in order to regain its dignity on home soil in the Olympics? Remember that?
I don't think it's crazy to say that most of the matches in the Copa America have been less than stellar. The Uruguay-Mexico match was probably the most entertaining thus far, but yesterday's Colombia-Paraguay match may have taken that title. After an early 2-0 deficit, the Paraguayans looked like they were going to be run out of the Rose Bowl. Then manager Ramon Diaz made some changes, including bringing on Victor Ayala, and it was game on. The next 45 minutes were an absolute dog fight and then the substitute rocketed home this golazo from 25 yards out.