25/04 - 20:00
While Euro 2020 has, so far at least, defied the global Covid-19 pandemic to inject some much-needed fun and entertainment into this summer, the Copa America has been running in parallel in Brazil...with less success.
Ahead of Sunday's final between Brazil and Argentina, we spoke with South American football expert and O Gol journalist Eduardo Massa about how the controversial tournament has panned out.
PLAYMAKER (PM): With the final in sight this weekend, which teams have stolen the show?
Eduardo Massa (EM): Probably the most accurate answer is: 'none of them'. Brazil and Argentina have justified their pre-tournament billing as favourites by reaching the final, but neither team have set the world alight.
Under manager Tite, Brazil's progress has been built upon a rock solid defence, but they haven't enchanted fans of the 'Seleçao' with their style of play, despite scoring the most goals (12) in the tournament.
Argentina have also not been spectacular, but they have evolved as a collective outfit. For the first time in years, they appear very well organised - which has given Lionel Messi, the top scorer at the Copa America with four goals, a platform to perform.
After squeezing past Colombia in the semi-final by virtue of a penalty shoot-out, Argentina will have their eyes firmly on a first Copa America title in 28 years.
(PM): Which players have shone brightest?
(EM): Messi and Neymar have been the tournaments stand-out players, without question. Messi's laid on four assists, in addition to his four goals, in five games and contributed to 80% of the Argentinians' goals.
He's been pilloried in the past for his international performances, but Messi is starring for his country at the moment and seems focused on winning a first major title with Argentina (although he has won Olympic gold and the U20 World Cup).
Neymar is the second most productive player at the Copa America with two goals and three assists and the PSG star has clearly been Brazil's most potent creative force.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also deserves special mention. Many back in his homeland were mystified as to why Aston Villa paid Arsenal £20 million for his services back in 2020, but they've certainly been won over by Martinez at this tournament.
The 28-year-old, who missed the birth of his child to compete at the tournament, is now a national hero after saving three Colombian penalties in the shoot-out. He has been particularly celebrated for his fantastic trash-talking prior to Everton defender Yerry Mina's deciding penalty miss!
(PM): Which players have disappointed?
(EM): Sergio Aguero. Although it's going to be a probable partnership at Barcelona next season, Messi and Aguero haven't clicked.
The former Man City striker is yet to score at the tournament and Argentina's dependence on Messi for goals is worrying. Messi aside, they have a lot of good attacking options, but their manager Lionel Scaloni has yet to get the best out of them.
(PM): What have been the highlights of the tournament?
(EM): There haven't been many! Argentina's 4-1 win against Bolívia stands out. It was a game that suggested Scaloni is starting to get things right, and Messi sparkled with two goals and an assist.
(PM): Have there been any surprise packages?
(EM): None of the lesser lights have pulled up many trees at the tournament. In fact, many of them have blatantly struggled.
In terms of players to make a splash, there are some interesting cases to mention. England-born Ben Brereton has done well for Chile and became the first 'Ingles' to score in the history of the Copa América.
Peru also have reinforcements from Europe: the veteran Gianluca Lapadula, who was born in Italy and played almost his entire career there, has been a threat up front for the Peruvians scoring three goals and also contributing an assist for a team who will contest the 3rd/4th place play-off on Saturday night.
(PM): Lowlights?
(EM): With ageing teams, or nations rebuilding, the Copa America has rather disappointed.
The standard hasn't been great in comparison with previous tournaments. Off-field issues have also been a problem - the tournament being switched to Brazil after Argentina and Colombia both rejected the idea of hosting it in the middle of the pandemic.
As a result, there have been a lot of logistical problems, and the playing surfaces have often been in a terrible state. Add in issues directly related to Covid, and it's been a pretty uninspiring tournament.
(PM): Most controversial moments?
(EM): Obviously the tournament going ahead at all was hugely controversial.
Bolivia forward Marcelo Moreno was suspended and fined for criticising Conmebol and the Copa América, and Brazil coach Tite was also hit with a fine by Conmebol for comments he has made.
It's fair to say all of this controversy has drained a lot of interest in a tournament that used to be a massive celebration of South American football.
