Copa América Centenario: Chile's Historic Triumph in the United States
The Copa América Centenario was a landmark football tournament held in the United States from June 3 to June 26, 2016. This special edition brought together 16 teams from two different confederations—CONMEBOL (South America) and CONCACAF (North, Central America, and the Caribbean)—marking a historic collaboration to celebrate the centennial of the competition.
Across 10 host cities, the tournament showcased the highest level of talent from the Americas, culminating in a dramatic final that solidified Chile's dominance in the era.
Key Facts
- Champion: Chile (their 2nd title)
- Runner-up: Argentina
- Host Country: United States
- Top Scorer: Eduardo Vargas (6 goals)
- Total Attendance: 1,483,855 spectators
- Total Goals: 91 goals scored across 32 matches
Tournament Organization and Venues
The United States served as the host, utilizing 10 world-class venues to accommodate the massive crowds. The matches were spread across various regions to maximize accessibility and engagement.
| City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Pasadena, CA | Rose Bowl | 92,542 |
| East Rutherford, NJ | MetLife Stadium | 82,566 |
| Houston, TX | NRG Stadium | 71,000 |
| Philadelphia, PA | Lincoln Financial Field | 69,176 |
| Foxborough, MA | Gillette Stadium | 68,756 |
| Santa Clara, CA | Levi's Stadium | 68,500 |
Participating Teams and Group Stage
The tournament featured 10 teams from CONMEBOL and 6 teams from CONCACAF. The teams were divided into four groups (A through D), where they competed for a spot in the knockout stage based on points, goal difference, and goals scored.
Group Stage Highlights
- Group A: The United States and Colombia advanced, with the hosts securing a dominant 4-0 win over Costa Rica.
- Group B: Peru and Ecuador progressed, with Brazil suffering a surprising 1-0 loss to Peru.
- Group C: Mexico and Venezuela moved forward, with Mexico leading the group.
- Group D: Argentina dominated the group with 9 points, while Chile secured the second spot.
The Road to the Final
The knockout stage began with the Quarter-finals, where Chile delivered one of the most shocking results in tournament history by defeating Mexico 7-0. Argentina also cruised through, defeating Venezuela 4-1.
In the Semi-finals, Argentina overwhelmed the United States 4-0, while Chile defeated Colombia 2-0 to secure their place in the championship match.
The Championship Match
The final took place on June 26 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. After a tense 120 minutes of play, the match ended in a 0-0 draw. The title was decided via a penalty shootout, where Chile emerged victorious, winning 4-2 to claim their second title.
Individual Honors and Statistics
The tournament was defined by exceptional individual performances. Eduardo Vargas emerged as the most clinical finisher of the competition, netting 6 goals.
The official awards recognized the core of the Chilean squad, with Alexis Sánchez named the best player and Claudio Bravo recognized as the best goalkeeper and the Final's Man of the Match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Copa América Centenario?
Chile won the tournament, defeating Argentina in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw in the final.
Who was the top scorer of the tournament?
Eduardo Vargas was the top scorer, finishing the competition with 6 goals.
Which countries participated in the tournament?
16 teams participated: 10 from CONMEBOL (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela) and 6 from CONCACAF (Costa Rica, Jamaica, Panama, Haiti, Mexico, and the United States).
Where was the final match played?
The final was held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Who was named the best player of the tournament?
Alexis Sánchez was awarded the title of best player.