Copa America 2019 gets underway this weekend, and the South American showpiece already have some exciting moments before Brazil kicks things off on Today, agencies reports.
Copa America 2019 features 10 of the best footballing nations from South America, plus special guests Qatar and Japan to round out the 12-team tournament in Brazil.
There is plenty at stake, with Brazil desperate to make amends on home soil, Lionel Messi's bid for international glory and much, much more.
Brazil’s last major international tournament on home soil ended in disaster – that infamous 7-1 demolition at the hands of Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup semi-final.
Tite took the reins soon after and the former Corinthians tactician has brought some much-needed stability and balance to this Brazil side on the road to redemption.
The Selecao have not come home for a holiday, with every player determined not to replicate that dreadful day in Belo Horizonte.
Neymar’s absence is a massive blow, but there is still plenty of attacking firepower in Brazil’s ranks, with Roberto Firminho and Gabriel Jesus coming off stellar seasons with Liverpool and Manchester City respectively.
SCHEDULE
Group Stage
Brazil v Bolivia - Saturday 15 June 6.30am
Venezuela v Peru - Sunday 16 June 1am
Argentina v Colombia - Sunday 16 June 4am
Paraguay v Qatar - Monday 17 June 1am
Uruguay v Ecuador - Monday 17 June 4am
Japan v Chile - Tuesday 18 June 5am
Bolivia v Peru - Wednesday 19 June 3.30am
Brazil v Venezuela - Wednesday 19 June 6.30am
Colombia v Qatar - Thursday 20 June 3.30am
Argentina v Paraguay - Thursday 20 June 6.30am
Bolivia v Venezuela - Sunday 23 June 1am
Peru v Brazil - Sunday 23 June 1am
Uruguay v Japan - Friday 21 June 5am
Ecuador v Chile - Saturday 22 June 5am
Qatar v Argentina - Monday 24 June 1am
Colombia v Paraguay - Monday 24 June 1am
Chile v Uruguay - Tuesday 25 June 5am
Ecuador v Japan - Tuesday 25 June 5am
Quarter Final
QF 1 - Friday 28 June 6.30am
QF2 - Saturday 29 June 1am
QF 3 - Saturday 29 June 5am
QF 4 - Sunday 30 June 1am
Semi Final
SF 1 - Wednesday 3 June 6.30am
SF 2 - Thursday 4 June 6.30am
Third place
Sunday 7 June 1am
Final
Monday 8 June 2am
Nobody can look past Argentine magician Lionel Messi, who heads to Brazil determined to end his agonising trophy drought at international level.
There will be added motivation for Lionel Messi to deliver, with his adversary Cristiano Ronaldo scooping up the UEFA Nations League with Portugal.
Despite Messi’s magic at its disposal, this relatively inexperienced Argentina side could struggle at the Copa America with plenty of questions still around interim manager Lionel Scaloni.
Inexperience does not only plague the dugout, with two-thirds of the 23-man squad with less than 15 international caps and that inexperience could hurt La Albiceleste.
With Neymar out injured, the responsibility falls on the rest of Brazil’s front line and Gabriel Jesus will relish the chance to lead the line in Neymar’s absence.
The 22-year-old seems to relish the added responsibility of leading the line for Brazil, with two goals in its rout of Honduras on Monday (AEST). Expect the goals to keep coming for the Manchester City striker.
The Brazilian was instrumental in Ajax’s UEFA Champions League run, and his injury heading into the semi-final second leg proved costly for the Dutch giant.
The 22-year-old has taken his scintillating form to the international stage, scoring in Brazil’s 7-0 rout over Honduras and earning himself a spot in the starting lineup for the Selecao’s Copa opener against Bolivia.
Expect the former Sao Paulo forward to stand up on his return to Brazil.
