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Andrew Cesare Richardson

Lionel Messi and Argentina are poised to begin the defence of their Copa America crown when they face Canada in Atlanta.
The tournament is taking place across the United States, two years before it hosts the World Cup, and the opener kicks off at 8pm on Thursday local time (8am Friday, Hong Kong time).
Argentina won the Covid-delayed 2021 tournament, beating hosts Brazil in the final for their first major honour since 1993.
Having won the World Cup just over a year later, the Albiceleste were clear favourites going into this tournament.
It features 16 teams, split into four groups of four, with the top two qualifying for the quarter-finals. The final will be played on July 14 at 8pm (8am, July 15 HKT) and supporters in Hong Kong can follow the action on Hoy TV.

At 108 years old, the Copa America is the oldest continental football competition in the world, having first been staged in 1916.
Though it is traditionally a competition for the best of South America, since 1993 all 10 Conmebol nations have been present, with the addition of further nations from North America. There have even been two Asian guests: Japan (1999, 2019) and Qatar (2019). Since 2016, there have been 16 entrants each time.
Argentina are looking to make history and become the stand-alone most successful country in the competition’s history. They sit level with Uruguay on 15 victories apiece, with Brazil in third with nine.
Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay could prove the biggest obstacle to Argentina as they come into the tournament in stunning form.
Their last friendly saw them hammer Mexico 4-0, while they also beat Brazil and Lionel Scaloni’s world champions in back-to-back World Cup qualifiers towards the end of 2023.

Brazil, meanwhile, are a team in crisis. Having failed to immediately hire a successor for outgoing manager Tite, they waited in vain for Carlo Ancelotti, who duly signed a contract extension with Real Madrid.
In the meantime, the only side to feature at every single World Cup face the genuine prospect of missing out in 2026, having failed to win any of the past four qualifiers, including losing their past three.
But it is impossible to rule out the Samba stars, especially with the form of Vinicius Junior in 2023-24, though they are without the injured Neymar and left Manchester United’s Casemiro at home.
Elsewhere, hosts United States will be keen to put on a good showing as they look to test themselves against some of football’s best ahead of hosting the World Cup.
Colombia could also be dark horses. Unbeaten since February 2022, they have enjoyed victories over Germany, Spain and Brazil, and have won their last eight matches.
Chile beat Argentina in back-to-back finals in 2015 and 2016 but, having missed out on qualification to the past two World Cups, are a far cry from that side.
Copa America 2024
Group A: Argentina, Peru, Chile, Canada
Group B: Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Jamaica
Group C: United States, Uruguay, Panama, Bolivia
Group D: Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Costa Rica


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Brazil

Copa America: Lionel Messi’s Argentina defend title in US as Uruguay, Brazil lie in wait

Lionel Messi and Argentina are looking to defend the Copa America crown they won in 2021 against the hosts, Brazil. Photo: AP

Vinicius Junior is Brazil’s star man and will be looking for his first international honour with the Selecao. Photo: DPA

Colombia recently smashed Copa America 2024 hosts USA 5-1 to lay down a marker. Photo: AP

Paris Olympics: Lionel Messi says he will not be part of Argentina squad

Argentina forward Lionel Messi said he would not be playing in Paris. Photo: Reuters

Lionel Messi (centre) won the gold medal with Argentina at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Photo: AP

Lionel Messi’s Barcelona napkin, used to promise his first contract with club at age 13, sells for HK$7.6m at auction

Lionel Messi left Barcelona in 2021 after breaking club records for goals and appearance. Photo: AP

 A signed and laminated copy of the napkin linking a 13-year-old Lionel Messi to Barcelona. Photo: Reuters

Euro 2024: Germany through, Scotland still alive, as Croatia, Albania play thrilling draw

Germany became the first team to qualify for the last 16 at Euro 2024 after their victory over Hungary in Stuttgart. Photo: Xinhua

Ilkay Gundogan (left) and Jamal Musiala scored the goals as Germany beat Hungary 2-0. Photo: AFP

Scott McTominay (centre) opened the scoring for Scotland against Switzerland. Photo: AFP

Albania celebrate after Klaus Gjasula’s stoppage-time equaliser against Croatia. Photo: Xinhua

Euro 2024: Kylian Mbappe ‘a bit better’ after broken nose, teammate William Saliba says

France’s Kylian Mbappe leaves the pitch after breaking his nose in a collision during the Group D match against Austria in Duesseldorf on Monday. Photo: AFP

Kylian Mbappe broke his nose in this collision with Austrian defender Kevin Danso. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football

Everything you need to know as the oldest continental tournament in world football kicks off for its 48th edition


Everything you need to know as the oldest continental tournament in world football kicks off for its 48th edition, 108 years on from its debut campaign.
