The 2011 Copa America showcased different things: the emergence of smaller teams in the CONMEBOL zone, the problems of giants like Argentina and Brazil and more.
Taking advantage of the situation, Uruguay went on to claim the title in style—ousting host Argentina on the way and stunning Paraguay with an emphatic 3-0 victory in the final.
In one of the competition’s highlights, Venezuela recorded their best ever finish but Peru got the last word in the third-place final by denying La Vinotinto bronze medals. Below are 10 things you should know following the end of the 2011 Copa America:
1) Luis Suarez was voted the competition’s best player. The Uruguayan’s predecessor for this title was Brazil’s Robinho. Luis Suarez also netted 4 goals in Argentina—one of which occurred in the final against Paraguay.
2) Paolo Guerrero finished as the top scorer of the 2011 Copa America with 5 goals. The Peruvian added a bronze medal to this personal prize.
3) 54 goals were produced in a total of 26 games. On average, there were 2.08 goals per match.
4) With their 2011 Copa America triumph, Uruguay are now South America’s most successful team at the continental level. They have won a record 15 titles. Argentina follow behind with a title less whereas third-placed Brazil still have a long way to go with 8 Copa America trophies in their room of honors.
5) Both invitees crashed out from the tournament in the group stages. Costa Rica failed to qualify from Group A among the best two while Mexico finished as the bottom side in Group C. The Mexicans lost all their matches and scored only 1 goal.
6) 4 matches required more than normal time football to decide the winner. Colombia’s 2-0 extra-time defeat to Peru on July 16 in Cordoba marked the first 2011 Copa America match to surpass 90 minutes of play.
7) Andre Carrillo of Peru scored the only own goal of the competition. It happened on match-day 3 as Chile ran away with a 1-0 victory.
8) Sebastian Coates of Uruguay won the Best Young Player award whereas Justo Villar emerged as the Best Goalkeeper.
9) Only Uruguay and Peru won as many as 3 matches. Venezuela, Chile and Colombia all recorded 2 victories each. Brazil and Argentina left the competition having clinched only 1 win whereas Paraguay recorded 5 draws and 1 draw. Note that the Guaranies’ knock-out stages wins came through penalty shootouts.
10) Argentina’s Lionel Messi exited the 2011 Copa America with a goalless record (exclude his spot kick against Uruguay in the penalty shootouts). 29 other players, meanwhile, scored not more or less than 1 goal.
