Copa America is one of the most action-packed competitions in the entire football world, and the quadrennial tournament boasts a rich history filled with both textbook dominance and jaw-dropping upsets.
This year’s iteration of the illustrious tournament is on the horizon and fans are on the edge of their seats in anticipation, but before the 2024 edition of the Copa America begins, together with SBOTOP, let’s take a step back and relive some of the most notable upsets in the continental tournament’s history.
Brazil suffered a group stage exit in 2016
Back in 2016, a Brazilian outfit that featured a star-studded lineup that included the likes of Phillipe Coutinho, Alisson, and Casemiro were undoubtedly the favourites to win their group. Their cluster contained Ecuador, Haiti, and Peru, a bunch that were clear underdogs when against football juggernauts Seleção.
But against all odds, Brazil finished the group stages with just four points after a tepid 0-0 with Ecuador, a 7-1 thrashing of Haiti, and a controversial 0-1 loss to Peru. Seleção finished third in their cluster, forcing them to miss the Copa America knockout stages for the first time in 29 years.
The United States brought Argentina back to earth in 1995
The 1995 edition of the Copa America brought a handful of memorable matches, but the most intriguing contest came in the final group-stage game between Argentina and the United States.
The U.S., who were guests in the competition, was trying to fend off the South American giants Argentina, who needed a point to clinch the top spot going into the knockout stages, while also avoiding their neighbouring rivals Brazil in a potential quarter-final clash.
Everything seemed sound on paper, but Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda, and Frank Klopas went off script and decided they would write their own destiny as they each scored one goal apiece to stun Argentina 3-0.
The win earned the United States not just a quarter-final berth but also reverence in the world of football. However, as the 2024 edition of the tournament goes to the USA, these sides could be up for a rematch more than 20 years in the making.
Mexico humbled Brazil in the 2007 opener
The 2007 edition of the Copa America was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride for Brazil. Seleção are one of the Copa America 2024 odds favourites, just like back in 2007. But it wasn’t smooth sailing for the Brazilians back then, as they were met with a Mexican storm right in their tournament opener.
Mexico were a force to be reckoned with in their own right, but most predicted Brazil to come out as the victors in their opening match. However, Mexico looked completely unfazed and proceeded to take a 2-0 win to open their group stage, thanks to the heroics of Nery Castillo and Ramon Morales, marking the first triumph of what will be a top-three finish for the Mexican side.
As for Brazil, it wasn’t the start they would’ve wanted, but things turned out pretty well eventually.
Brazil thrashed Argentina in the 2007 final
In the same tournament where they lost to Mexico in their opening bout, Brazil gathered themselves and proved why they were the kings of the region, as they went on to thrash Argentina in the 2007 Copa America final.
This match is included in this list not because the result was an upset but because of how the score line looked when the final whistle was blown and because the manner of the win was nothing but shocking.
Seleção showed pure dominance over Argentina, controlling every aspect of the final. With goals from Júlio Baptista, Dani Alves, and a Roberto Ayala own goal, Brazil comfortably swept Argentina off their boots with a 3-0 clean-sheet victory to win their eighth Copa America title.
Can Brazil replicate this performance and produce title-winning Copa America 2024 results?
The 2011 Copa America quarterfinal saw the rise of the underdogs
The 2011 edition of the Copa America saw what could be the most unprecedented series of events in tournament history. Notably, in the quarterfinals, the region’s then-Big 4—Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile—were the favourites to advance in the semis, but one by one, these football giants fell to their opponents, marking one of the greatest underdog stories in the region’s football lore.
Brazil was held to a scoreless draw before the Paraguayans ultimately got the job done in the penalty shootout. Peru and Colombia were also poised to end in a goalless draw, but late goals from Peruvian midfielders Carlos Lobaton and Juan Vargas got them past the Colombians in dramatic fashion. Elsewhere, Uruguay bested Argentina in the penalties, while the heroics of Venezuelan defender Gabriel Cichero stunned Chile. Uruguay went on to win the whole shebang, adding another title to their already-stacked trophy case.
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