Argentina's performance in last five Copa America editions

Alberceleste have won one Copa America title in last five edition.

Defending champions Argentina have booked their place in the Finals of Copa America 2024 after a commanding win over Canada in the semifinals to continue their perfect run in the competition.

Heading into the decisive knockout stages, Lionel Scaloni’s side finished the group stage phase as Group A table toppers, beating the likes of Canada, Chile, and Peru in the process, with an impeccable record of three wins, three clean sheets, nine points, and five goals scored.

With all that said, let’s look at Argentina’s performance in the last five Copa America editions:

2011 Copa America (Argentina)

In this edition, host Argentina were placed in Group A alongside Colombia, Costa Rica, and Bolivia. Argentina had a lacklustre start to the tournament as they were held to a surprising 1-1 draw by minnows Bolivia in their opening match, which was followed by a frustrating goalless draw to Colombia. However, La Albiceleste bounced back in their final group game as they registered a dominating 3-0 win against Costa Rica to finish second in the group behind table-toppers Colombia.

Unfortunately, Argentina’s home tournament run proved to be short-lived as they suffered a shock quarterfinal round exit to eventual champions Uruguay, agonizingly losing 5-4 on penalties after the match had ended level at 1-1.

On the whole, La Albiceleste’s 2011 Copa America campaign was a massive missed opportunity, as they were expected to challenge for the trophy but were ultimately undone by their underwhelming performances.

2015 Copa America (Chile)

In this edition, Argentina were placed in Group B alongside Paraguay, Uruguay, and Jamaica. Argentina didn’t have the best of start to the competition, as they were held to a surprising 2-2 draw by underdogs Paraguay in their opening match. However, La Albiceleste bounced back perfectly with consecutive 1-0 wins against Uruguay and Jamaica to finish the group stage phase as table-toppers with seven points.

In the quarterfinals, Argentina narrowly edged past Colombia to win 5-4 on penalties after the game had ended in a goalless draw. In the semifinal round, Argentina encountered Paraguay again, but this time they got past them with ease as they recorded a dominating 6-1 win to book their place in the final.

However, Argentina failed to get past the ultimate hurdle in the final as they succumbed to a loss on penalties to host Chile, who clinched their first-ever Copa America crown in their history.

2016 Copa America Centenario (USA)

In this edition, Argentina were placed in Group D alongside Chile, Panama, and Bolivia. Argentina enjoyed a perfect group stage run in the tournament as they recorded convincing 2-1, 5-0, and 3-0 wins against Chile, Panama, and Bolivia, respectively, to finish as the invincible table-toppers of their group, with an incredible record of three wins, nine points, ten goals scored, and just one goal conceded.

In the quarterfinals, La Albiceleste brushed aside Venezuela with a dominating 4-1 win, which was followed by a 4-0 demolition of the host USA during the semifinal stage to book their place in the final for the second successive time of asking.

However, in truly heartbreaking fashion, Argentina suffered a second consecutive penalty shootout loss (4-2) to Chile in the final, after the match had ended goalless at the end of extra time.

Two penalty shootout final losses in as many years proved to be a crushing blow for all of Argentina and a tipping point for Lionel Messi, who announced his retirement from international football (although he later reversed this decision).

2019 Copa America (Brazil)

In this edition, Argentina were placed in Group B alongside Colombia, Paraguay, and Qatar. Argentina had the worst possible start to the competition as they suffered a shocking 2-0 defeat to dark horse Colombia in their opening match, which was followed by another disappointing performance in a frustrating 1-1 draw against Paraguay. However, La Albiceleste secured their spot in the knockout stages with a 2-0 win over Qatar in their final group game to finish second in their group behind table-toppers Colombia.

In the quarterfinals, Argentina recorded a convincing 2-0 win over Venezuela to advance to the next stage. However, Argentina succumbed to a 2-0 loss to host and eventual champion Brazil in the semifinal round to put an end to yet another trophy dream. In the end, La Albiceleste managed to finish third in the tournament after beating Chile 2-1 during the third-place play-off match.

In what was coach Lionel Scaloni’s first-ever major tournament as Argentina’s manager, it proved to be a mixed-bag campaign with a few positives and a lot of potential improvements.

2021 Copa America (Brazil)

This edition proved to be a historic one for the entirety of Argentina as they lifted the Copa America trophy for the first time in 28 years, defeating host Brazil 1-0 in the final. This victory also marked Lionel Messi’s first senior international title with Argentina.

In this edition, Argentina were placed in Group A (South Zone) alongside Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, and Bolivia. On their road to glory, Lionel Scaloni’s side enjoyed an unbeaten group stage run with wins against Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia and a draw against Chile to finish the group stage phase as table-toppers of their group.

In the quarterfinals, La Albiceleste recorded a dominating 3-0 win over Ecuador, which was followed by a hard-fought penalty shootout win (3-2) over Colombia in the semifinal stage after the match had ended 1-1 at the end of extra time.

In the grand finale, Angel Di Maria’s winner against Brazil propelled Argentina to the status of Copa America champions. Captain Lionel Messi was conferred with the Golden Boot Award and the Golden Ball Award for his stellar performances, while goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the recipient of the Golden Glove Award.

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