Argentina are Copa America champions once again.
They were the pre-tournament favourites according to Opta's supercomputer, and they lived up to the billing in the United States, retaining their title and winning the Copa America for a record 16th time.
Lionel Scaloni's team beat Colombia 1-0 in Sunday's final, despite Lionel Messi going off injured and in tears, with Lautaro Martinez sealing victory in extra time.
Martinez was one of the standout positives from the Copa America, but who were the others, and which teams and players failed to impress?
THE TOPS
Argentina
Let's start with the champions. They won the Copa America while only conceding one goal in their six matches, with Scaloni's success built on a mean defence, rather than just the magic of Messi.
Indeed, Messi's magic was in somewhat short supply. He was a creative fulcrum in Argentina's opening win over Canada, and then scored his only goal of the tournament against Jesse Marsch's team in a semi-final reunion, but injuries plagued his campaign.
He was in tears as he made his way to the bench in Sunday's final, but nevertheless bowed out of what will surely be his final Copa America as a back-to-back champion.
Argentina were not always pretty, but with the now-retired Angel Di Maria and Golden Boot winner Martinez picking up the slack, along with Emiliano Martinez in fine form between the sticks, they got the job done.
Lautaro Martinez
Argentina's hero was not Messi in the end, but instead it was Martinez, who completed something of a redemption arc after he endured a poor World Cup on a personal level in Qatar, where he failed to convert any of his 14 attempts at goal.
Indeed, Martinez headed into the Copa America without having scored for Argentina in World Cup 2026 qualifying, and he was not going to be a regular starter.
Well, he wasn't a regular starter, playing only 221 minutes, but he scored five times to clinch the Golden Boot, matching the best tally by Argentine players at the Copa America since the turn of the century (Messi in 2016, Juan Roman Riquelme in 2007).
Martinez scored every 44 minutes on average, having 11 shots and outperforming his 3.26 xG.
James Rodriguez
Messi might have been unable to take a starring role, but James Rodriguez ensured there was one number 10 who took centre-stage at this edition of the tournament.
James was not picked for Colombia's squad in 2021, yet he has been made his team's main man again by Nestor Lorenzo, who was rewarded by some quite sensational displays.
The 33-year-old provided six assists, breaking the record Messi set in 2021 (five), while creating a tournament-leading 20 chances, six more than any other player.
James wanted the ultimate prize, but ultimately had to settle with being named the Copa America Player of the Tournament.
Marcelo Bielsa
El Loco is back in business, and even though Uruguay didn't reach the final, falling short in the semis, they are a team moulded in their coach's profile.
Bielsa has his side playing front-foot, fast-paced football, but they are also stern defenders, as they proved in a goalless draw with Brazil, which they then won on penalties despite having gone down to 10 men.
The future is bright with Bielsa at the helm.
Jesse Marsch and Canada
Not much was expected of tournament debutants Canada, but two years in advance of co-hosting the World Cup, the Reds went on a great run to the semi-finals.
Sure, they only won one match in normal time, but a penalty shoot-out victory over Venezuela in the quarters teed up a rematch against Argentina and the champions just had too much quality (again).
Jesse Marsch's stock was low after he was sacked by Leeds United, but after a spell out of the game, this job looks to be the perfect fit for the confident American.
And with Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David spearheading Canada's hopes in 2026, perhaps something special is on the cards.
THE FLOPS
Brazil
Dorival Junior, who took over as Brazil head coach in January, has asked for time and patience to complete a rebuild, having left several big names out due to a lack of form or fitness. Neymar, of course, was also absent, having missed pretty much all of last season due to injury.
But the Selecao really did flop at this Copa America.
Their only win came against Paraguay (4-1) in the group stage, and their failure to top Group D meant they went up against Uruguay in the last eight.
Vinicius Junior scored a double against Paraguay but then got himself suspended for the clash with La Celeste. If he had been available, maybe matters might have been different, but as it was, the nine-time Copa America champions crashed out.
United States
The USA were meant to go far at what was a dress rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup. Instead, they slumped out in the group stage and Gregg Berhalter was fired.
It is the first time the Stars and Stripes have failed to advance after winning their opening group-stage match of a tournament, having previously advanced all 23 times they had won their opener.
After beating Bolivia, USA lost to Panama and Uruguay in a damp squib of a campaign.
US Soccer must now try and move on from the Berhalter era. They have a talented squad at their disposal, but a golden generation could be wasted if they do not get their next appointment right.
Jurgen Klopp has reportedly been approached, and reportedly turned that offer down, too.
The organisers
From poor pitches to poor organisation, CONMEBOL did not come out of this tournament well.
Bielsa and Marsch both lambasted the governing body during their final press conferences, while Messi and Scaloni were critical of the quality of the playing surfaces.
And then, before the final, crowd trouble outside Miami's Hard Rock stadium forced the postponement of the showpiece. Oh, and there was also that matter of fighting in the stands between Uruguay players and Colombia fans.
There's work to do on that front.
Mexico
Only twice in 10 previous participations at the Copa America had Mexico gone out in the group stage, failing to win a game in back-to-back editions in 2011 and 2015.
El Tri did manage a victory this time around, beating Jamaica 1-0 in their Group B opener, but that was as good as it got as a 1-0 loss to Venezuela and a goalless draw with Ecuador saw them edged out on goal difference, finishing third in their pool.
Mexico scored just once from chances totalling 4.86 xG, their forwards letting them down as they recorded the second-worst underperformance at the tournament (behind Canada, - 4.36).
Darwin Nunez
Nunez was wasteful for Liverpool throughout the 2023-24 season, and things did not change for him at the Copa America despite Uruguay entertaining en route to the semi-finals.
His two goals, both of which came in the group stage, came from a total of 21 shots worth 2.68 xG, and only five of those efforts saw him hit the target.
His figure of 1.93 expected goals on target (xGoT), meanwhile, demonstrated the way in which his sub-par finishing made opportunities less likely to result in a goal.
Nunez's tournament then ended with the forward being involved in violent clashes with Colombia fans after La Celeste's semi-final defeat.
Mexico dismiss Lozano after early Copa America exit
Mexico have dismissed head coach Jaime Lozano following an underwhelming Copa America campaign.
Mexico finished third in Group B, scoring just once in the group stage as they finished with one win.
Lozano, who was in charge for just under a year, reportedly turned down a demotion to stay under a new head coach, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) said in a statement.
"Following the Copa America, the FMF has begun an analysis to determine mistakes, and successes and evaluate areas for improvement in the process," the FMF said on Tuesday.
"Jaime Lozano was offered a contract until 2030 in which, during the period 2024-2026, he will accompany a more experienced manager towards our World Cup.
"Lozano has informed us that he does not wish to continue. We respect his decision, we recognise his great professionalism, capacity and dedication."
Lozano led Mexico to the 2023 Gold Cup title and also reached the Concacaf Nations League final earlier this year, losing to the USA.
It is reported that Javier Aguirre, who coached the side at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, is set to replace him.
Chelsea launch disciplinary proceedings against Fernandez
Chelsea have launched an internal disciplinary procedure following Enzo Fernandez's social media video which the French Football Federation (FFF) said included an alleged racist chant.
Fernandez, who posted the video in an Instagram live, was chanting a derogatory song about France following Argentina's Copa America victory on Sunday along with some of his team-mates.
The FFF said they will file a legal complaint against Argentina for the video, while Fernandez's Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana, who has one cap for France, reposted it on his social media account with the caption: "Football in 2024: uninhibited racism".
Fernandez later apologised for the video, saying he was "truly sorry".
"I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations," he said.
"The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words.
"I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.
"That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character.
"I am truly sorry."
On Wednesday, Chelsea released a statement confirming their own internal investigation.
"Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable," the statement read. "We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome.
"We acknowledge and appreciate our player's public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate.
"The club has instigated an internal disciplinary procedure."
Nashville SC v Orlando City: Lions confidence rising ahead of road trip
Oscar Pareja says the confidence of his Orlando City side is on the rise ahead of their MLS trip to Nashville SC at Geodis Park.
The Lions have triumphed in their last three league matches, overcoming New England Revolution 3-1 in their most recent outing.
Orlando are seventh in the Eastern Conference standings, and head coach Pareja believes improvements are clear to see as encouragement grows within the camp.
"Very excited with the three points, very proud of the character of the team and the players that brought us back after an irregular first half," Pareja said, referring to the Revs victory.
"It seems like our confidence keeps rising, and finding the net is helping us to believe that this is the team who can keep that rhythm and get into the playoffs.
"A team with more chemistry, but at the same time, with more passion and more energy that allowed us to dominate the game and score our goals.
"This is the first time that the team won in New England and that means a lot of respect for the players to that achieve that."
Nashville are ninth in the same East table, though only sit ahead of CF Montreal on goal difference.
They have lost their last four matches against Inter Miami, Columbus Crew, Portland Timbers and D.C. United, however, and must improve at home if they are to end that run here.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar
Hany Mukhtar has nine goal contributions (four goals, five assists) in eight regular-season matches against Orlando.
The Nashville forward has only recorded more goal contributions against one opponent in his MLS career – 12 versus Atlanta United.
Orlando City – Facundo Torres
Facundo Torres has recorded two goal contributions in each of his last two matches, including scoring a brace against New England on Saturday.
This is the fourth time Torres has registered multiple goal contributions in consecutive league matches, something no other Orlando player has managed more than once.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
The Opta supercomputer predicted a Nashville victory as the most likely result, however a draw appears more probable in this clash.
Nashville had suffered just five defeats in their first 19 regular-season matches in 2024 but have now lost four straight matches in all competitions for the first time in club history.
Orlando have also won their last three meetings with Nashville, including a two-match sweep in last season's playoffs.
The Lions have won four of their last five matches (L1), too, after winning four of just 18 league games prior in 2024, including wins in their previous three in a row – only twice enjoying longer victorious streaks.
However, Nashville cannot be completely ignored considering they had gone unbeaten in their previous eight against Orlando in all competitions (W3 D5) before their three-game losing streak recently.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Nashville SC win – 43.7%
Draw – 26.8%
Orlando City win – 29.5%
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