The Best Copa America Finals in History so far

 

Only a few games in the Copa America finals can be considered the most thrilling matches in history.

Copa America 2024 has come to an end, with the final set to be staged this weekend. The reigning champions, Argentina and Colombia, are squaring off in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is bound to be an entertaining clash, although it would not be a classic match like Argentina vs. Brazil or Argentina vs. Uruguay.

Throughout the tournament’s history, only a few games in the summit could be regarded as thrilling encounters, in which both sides scored but not in an equal match, not a one-sided clash. Copa America itself only has its format with the final game since the 1993 edition. The round-robin format was more preferable from the first edition in 1916 to 1991. Here are those notable and memorable finals.

Argentina vs. Mexico (Copa America 1993 Final)

The 1993 edition was the first Copa America, which invited non-CONMEBOL members to compete. Mexico and the USA were the first teams to be included. El Sombrero, led by their legendary striker, Hugo Sanchez, surprisingly managed to reach the final to take on the reigning champions, Argentina, who had to rely on penalties to progress in the knockout stage.

The final itself, which was staged in the Estadio Monumental in Guayaquil, turned out to be a tight affair. Both sides traded attempts on target, which forced both goalkeepers, Sergio Goycochea and Jorge Campos, to make clinical saves. Albiceleste finally broke the deadlock with Gabriel Batistuta’s powerful strike in the 63^rd minute, but after four minutes, Mexico equalised through Benjamin Galindo’s penalty. The winning goal came in the 74^th minute as Batistuta completed his brace after taking advantage of Diego Simeone’s quick throw in. It was their 14^th title and the last one before Lionel Messi and Co. lifted the same trophy in 2021.

Uruguay vs. Brazil (Copa America 1995 Final)

The final in the following edition had fewer goals but was still considered the most thrilling one. The host, Uruguay, and the 1994 World Cup winner were squaring off in the historic Estadio Centenario in Montevideo. Brazil were without itsWorld Cup heroes, Romario and Bebeto. Yet, such did not stop them from going through the final.

The clash was intense, with a few players involved in a brief brawl at the first half. Selecao opened the scoring first through Tulio in the 30^th minute before La Celeste found the equaliser through Pablo Bengoechea’s sublime free kick. The former Botafogo man was supposedly prepared to be Romario’s successor. Unfortunately, he contributed directly to their loss as he was the only player who missed the penalty in the shootout. Uruguay clinched their 14^th title in history and Tulio was never called up again in any major tournament. 

Brazil vs. Argentina (Copa America 2004 Final)

This is by far the best final in the tournament. It was the classic duel between Brazil and Argentina. The match not only ended 2-2, but there were late goals and penalties. In the 2004 edition, Albiceleste was the favourite since Brazil only sent the B team in the competition without Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, or other stars from the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Argentina, on the other hand, brought their bestplayers to the squad, as well as their rising stars such as Lucho Gonzalez,Carlos Tevez, and Cesar Delgado. They also aimed to snatch a title as a consolation for their humiliating exit at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

The match was as exciting as expected, as both sides traded chances and goals. Marcelo Bielsa’s men took the lead from Kily Gonzalez’s penalty in the 20^th minute, but Luisao’s goal put them back on level terms just before the interval. The game became more intense in the second half, but neither side was able to score. In the 87^th minute, Argentina suddenly restored their lead through Cesar Delgado’s goal. They seemed to be confident already, with just one goal lead, as the final whistle was just a few minutes away. However, Carlos Alberto Pareira’s side once again bounced back and equalised through Adriano’s strike in the six-yard box. The match had to be decided by a shootout, and Argentina’s first two executors already failed to convert the penalties!! The young Julio Cesar was the hero, as he saved the first one while none of Brazil’s takers missed the shot. It was a triumphant campaign for the Brazilian reserve team.