If you haven’t had your fill of football with Euro 2024, you’re in luck, because South America’s Copa América has arrived. The top men’s football tournament determines the footballing champions of South America and is the oldest continental football competition, as well as the third most watched in the world. Due to the time difference, watching Copa América from the UK tends to be a nocturnal affair, so prepare for some late nights.
The tournament, which began on Thursday 20 June, runs until Thursday 14 July. In the early hours of Friday morning (21 June), defending champions Argentina beat Canada 2-0 in the opening game in Atlanta, Georgia. Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez scored four minutes into the second half, before substitute Lautaro Martinez secured a second goal.
Read Next The lowdown on England's next Euro 2024 opponents Slovenia This year’s Copa América is being hosted in stadiums across the US, but the temporary grass surface at the Mercedes-Benz stadium, which is the regular home of MLS side Atlanta United and NFL franchise Atlanta Falcons, was not up to par on Thursday, according to Argentina’s manager Lionel Scaloni . “With all due respect, thank goodness we won,” he said. “Otherwise, it would have been a cheap excuse.
We have known for seven months that we are going to play here and they changed the turf two days ago. “It is not good for the show. It is not an excuse.
The stadium is beautiful and with synthetic turf it must be spec.