Interesting Argentina and Messi Stats after their Copa America TriumphArgentina won 1-0 against Brazil winning the 2021 Copa America Trophy, the match followed a familiar script of their 3 previous finals, with Higuain squandering a presentable early for Argentina with Albiceleste then losing the penalty shootout or in extra time. However, on this occasion Di Maria scored from his early chance which proved enough in the end. Interestingly it was his first goal for Argentina after 12 matches. 28: Years after which Argentina won a senior trophy. 15: The Copa America 2021 success saw Argentina draw level with Uruguay on most Copa America trophies won, with both nations having won 15 each. Argentina became the first team in men’s football history to defeat Brazil in consecutive fixtures played at the Maracana stadium. (Argentina won their last meeting there in a 1998 friendly just a couple months before the World Cup). Argentina are also the only team with three wins against Brazil at the Maracana (also won in 1957). This was the sixth time Brazil hosted the Copa America and it was the first time they have failed to win it as hosts. This was the first time Argentina have defeated Brazil in a major tournament final since the Copa America in 1937 — 84 years ago. Argentina won a knockout stage meeting against Brazil for the first time in seven attempts. They last beat Brazil in a knockout stage game in the 1993 Copa America quarterfinals. Argentina’s first goal in a final since 2005, Argentina reached the finals of 2007, 2015 and 2016 editions of the Copa America and also the 2014 World Cup but failed to score a goal in those 4 final appearances. 13: Copa America goals scored by Lionel Messi 4 behind top scorers Norberto Méndez and Brazil’s Zizinho 4: Most overall free kicks scored by Messi, most by a player in Copa America history. 17: Assists provided by Messi overall in Copa America, most by a player in Copa America history. 5: Most assists provided in a single tournament by Messi in Copa America 2021. 6: Most tournaments with at least one assist: Lionel Messi (2007–2021) 14: Most man of the match awards won in Copa America history. 34: Joint most matches played by Lionel Messi in Copa America 4: Argentina after their semi-final penalty shootout win registered their 4th shootout in Copa America history, only Brazil (5) have won more in Copa America. After the Copa America Messi now has made the most appearances for La Albiceleste (151), he also became the first Argentine to feature at six Copa Americas. All stats via wikipedia and Espn. |