A look back on Copa America 2021: Records that fell, award winners, and interesting statistics

The Copa America 2021 came to an exciting conclusion as Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 to win their first international title in 28 years.

The Argentina national football team entered the final of the 47th edition, having lost the last four Copa America finals (2004, 2007, 2015, 2016). A 22nd-minute winner from Angel di Maria proved to be the difference in a game that was almost on even terms.

Lionel Messi, who won the Golden Ball award before the Copa America final, won the Golden Boot award over Luis Diaz of Colombia. Both players scored four goals in the competition, but the Argentine captain had more assists than Colombia's 24-year-old winger.

In doing so, Messi became the first player to be the top scorer, top assist provider, Golden Ball winner and championship winner in a single edition of Copa America.

Emiliano Martinez managed to keep his fourth straight clean sheet in the Copa America 2021 final for Argentina. In doing so, he made history as the first Argentina goalkeeper to win the Golden Glove award.

Angel di Maria proved to be Argentina’s hero in the Copa America 2021 final, as he became the first Argentine to score in a Copa América final since César Delgado in 2004.

The strike made headlines for another significant reason: Argentina scored against Brazil in a Copa America game on Brazilian turf for the first time since 1979. La Albiceleste failed to score in three previous attempts, with their last away goal not enough to secure a win.

3 - Argentina have scored against Brazil in Brazil in a Copa América game after three consecutive games without doing it: their last away goal against the Brazilians in the tournament had been in 1979 (1-2 defeat). Relief. pic.twitter.com/KNboUJ9acx

— OptaJoao (@OptaJoao) July 11, 2021

Furthermore, Argentina recorded their first win over Brazil in a Copa America final in 84 years. Argentina last defeated Brazil in the championship fixture was 1937, and have faltered in their meetings in the 2004 and 2007 finals.

Argentina have defeated Brazil in the Copa América final for the first time since 1937, equalling Uruguay's record as the most successful nation in the tournament's history in the process (15 titles).

And they did it at the Maracanã. pic.twitter.com/2PF2NS4aYu

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 11, 2021

Who scored the most goals in Copa America 2021?

The Brazil national football team finished with the most goals in Copa America 2021, scoring 12 goals. The Selecao posted ten goals in the group stages and two in the knockouts but did not score in the final at the Maracana Stadium.

In terms of the numbers, it is a long way from the 1949 Brazil squad, which continues to be the only team to score the most goals in a single edition of Copa America (49 goals).

Who registered the most assists in Copa America 2021?

Lionel Messi recorded five assists in Copa America 2021, two more than Brazil’s Neymar, to finish as the player with the most assists. This tally essentially worked in Messi’s favour to claim the Golden Boot award, his first in six Copa America appearances.

The 34-year-old Barcelona legend not only registered the most assists in a single Copa America, but also consolidated his position as the tournament's record holder in assists (17).

Who conceded the least goals in Copa America 2021?

Brazil conceded the least goals in Copa America 2021. After leaking just two goals in the group stage, the 2019 winners saw their defensive prowess broken in the final against Argentina.

Who has won the Copa America the most times?

With a win over Brazil in the Copa America 2021 final, Argentina equalled Uruguay's all-time record of 15 titles. Following three unsuccessful attempts (2004, 2015 and 2016), Lionel Scaloni’s men finally broke their 28-year trophy drought.

Featured photo: AFP / Carl de Souza