Winners on home soil two years ago, the Seleção hit the ground running in this year’s tournament, which is again being played in Brazil after Argentina and Colombia were stripped of hosting rights due to a surge in COVID-19 cases and civil unrest respectively.
Goals from Neymar, his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Marquinhos and Gabriel Barbosa gave the five-time world champion a comfortable 3-0 win against Venezuela in the tournament’s opener on Sunday.
In the other Group B game, meanwhile, Colombia edged past Ecuador courtesy of Edwin Cardona’s goal.
Argentina’s quest for a first major trophy since 1993 got off to a stuttering start on Monday as the Albiceleste drew 1-1 with Chile. Lionel Messi opened the score with a superb free kick to notch his 73rd international goal, before Chile equalized in the second half when Eduardo Vargas converted from close range after Arturo Vidal had seen his penalty kick rebound against the crossbar.
In the other Group A game, meanwhile, Paraguay scored three goals in 18 minutes as it came from behind to defeat Bolivia 3-1. A penalty from Erwin Saavedra put Bolivia in front 10 minutes into the game, before it lost Jaume Cuéllar to a red card late into first half stoppage time.
Paraguay made its numerical superiority count in the second half, with Alejandro Romero equalizing with 62 minutes played, before Ángel Romero added a second three minutes later and then scored his second goal 10 minutes before the end.
The second round of games begins on Thursday afternoon, when Colombia faces Venezuela at 5 p.m. ET, followed by Brazil taking on Peru at 8 p.m. ET.
Argentina is again in action on Friday, when it takes on Uruguay, which makes its tournament debut—the format of five teams per group means not every team plays on the same day of its group rivals.
Here’s a round-up of the state of play and of the upcoming games.
Copa America 2021 standings
(PTS = points, GP = games played, W = wins, D = draws, L = losses, GF = goals for, GA = goals against, GD = goal difference)
Group A
Group B
Copa America 2021 TV schedule
The second round of games begins on Thursday afternoon with Group B games, while Group A teams are in action the following day.
Here’s the remaining schedule for both groups (all times ET).
Group B
Thursday, June 17
Colombia vs. Venezuela—5 p. m. , FS1, UniMas, TUDNBrazil vs. Peru—8 p. m. , FS1, UniMas, TUDN
Sunday, June 20
Venezuela vs. Ecuador—5 p. m. , FOX, Univision, TUDNColombia vs. Peru—8 p. m. , FS1, UniMas, TUDN
Wednesday, June 23
Ecuador vs. Peru—5 p. m. , FS1, UniMas, TUDNColombia vs. Brazil—8 p. m. FS1, UniMas, TUDN
Sunday, June 27
Brazil vs. Ecuador—5 p. m. , FS1, Univision, TUDNVenezuela vs. Peru—5 p. m. , FS2, Galavision
Group A
Friday, June 18
Chile vs. Bolivia—5 p. m. , FS2, UniMas, TUDNArgentina vs. Uruguay—8 p. m. , FS2, Univision, TUDN
Monday, June 21
Uruguay vs. Chile—5 p. m. , FS1, UniMas, TUDNArgentina vs. Paraguay—8 p. m. , FS1, UniMas, TUDN
Thursday, June 24
Bolivia vs. Uruguay—5 p. m. , FS1, UniMas, TUDNChile vs. Paraguay—8 p. m. , FS1, Univision, TUDN
Monday, June 28
Argentina vs. Bolivia—8 p. m. , FS1, UniMas, TUDNUruguay vs. Paraguay—8 p. m. , FS2, Galavision