Going into the Copa America, we posed questions about the campaigns of the 10 South American sides. Now that the 43rd Copa America is history, we look back to find out if the tournament came up with the answers. (Listed from winners down to the teams eliminated in the group phase)
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- One figure has dominated this Copa America. The shadow of Sergio Markarian, the balding, bespectacled Peru coach who had such an influence on the philosophy of the sides who finished first, second and third, lurked in the background, but the man of the tournament was the tall, grey-haired figure with the limp who calmly wandered around shaking hands and exchanging hugs at fulltime in the final, as his players cavorted in one great mass of celebration.
Diego Forlan grabbed two goals as Uruguay thrashed Paraguay 3-0 in Buenos Aires to secure a record 15th Copa America title.
On Tuesday night, Oscar Washington Tabarez limped across the pitch in La Plata and paused, his knee injury apparently making him wary of progressing too far on the sodden, uneven surface. He looked at his celebrating players as though determined to soak in the spectacle and as they slowly broke off to trot in to the dressing-room, each made a point of going over to him. Tabarez's second coming as national coach has already been glorious, but on Sunday it might get even better.
Paraguay will meet Uruguay in Sunday's Copa America final in Argentina after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Venezuela.
A second-half brace from striker Luis Suarez secured Uruguay a 2-0 win over Peru and a place in the 2011 Copa America final.
Holders Brazil were knocked out of the Copa America Sunday, after a woeful penalty shoot-out display against Paraguay in Argentina.
SAN JUAN, Argentina -- The full moon shone bright and white over San Juan, its domination of the chill sky seeming a symbol of the lunacy that took over the Copa America this weekend. The tournament -- perhaps any tournament -- has never known a series of quarterfinals like it, as the three group-winners and the hosts all crashed out. The machinations of the schedulers, who had done everything in their power to ensure a third successive Brazil-Argentina final, are left looking a little silly.
Uruguay hero Fernando Muslera was delighted after his team stunned hosts Argentina in a penalty shootout to reach the semifinals of the Copa America tournament, despite having a player sent off.
A look at how the Copa America quarterfinals match up:
Chile and Uruguay are through to the quarterfinals of the 2011 Copa America after both teams picked up 1-0 wins on Tuesday to advance from Group C.
A few seconds after the final whistle had sounded in Cordoba, Argentina, on Saturday came the announcement that the official man of the match was Roque Santa Cruz of Paraguay.
Argentina are into the quarterfinals of the 2011 Copa America after the hosts scored a comfortable 3-0 victory against Costa Rica in Cordoba.
Colombia are through to the quarterfinals of the Copa America after beating Bolivia 2-0 in Sante Fe on Sunday to finish top of Group A with seven points.
Thoughts as the third round of group-stage games begin at Copa America ...
Holders Brazil needed a last-gasp equalizer from Fred to salvage a 2-2 draw against Paraguay in their Copa America Group B match Saturday in Cordoba.
One player has emerged from the first week of the Copa America with his reputation enhanced. Sadly for Argentina, that player is Spain's Xavi Hernandez.
Hosts Argentina remain winless at the 2011 Copa America after being held to a 0-0 draw by Colombia in Sante Fe on Wednesday.
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez scored in the closing moments of the first half to secure a 1-1 draw for Oscar Taberez's side against Peru in their opening match of the 2011 Copa America.
Brazil announced their arrival at this year's Copa America tournament in Argentina Sunday with a disappointing goal-less draw against Venezuela.
Colombia opened their Copa America campaign with a victory on Saturday, defeating 10-man Costa Rica 1-0 in Jujuy.
Hosts Argentina needed a stunning late strike from substitute Sergio Aguero to salvage a 1-1 draw against Bolivia in the Copa America opener Friday night.
The Nobel Laureate Gabriel García Márquez was once told that "'In this century, only three important things have happened to Colombia: the political violent outburst of 1948, the publication in 1967 of 100 Years of Solitude, and the 5-0 defeat of Argentina by Colombia's national squad in 1993." Laughing, Márquez replied, "You know what the worst thing about that is? It's true."
A look at the teams in Group A and their projected order of finish:
A look at the teams in Group C and their projected order of finish:
One could make a very strong case that no other team in the world has forwards as talented as Argentina's, the team currently has no less than six world-class options -- Carlos Tevez even pronounced it with confidence after La Albiceleste's last pre Copa America 2011 friendly against Albania last week. But then, in the famous adage of former England midfielder John Gregory, strikers win you games, but defenders win you championships.
Four years ago, in the opening game of the last Copa America, Uruguay went down 3-0 to Peru. Panic stations!
The world's oldest continental tournament, the Copa America has ensured its continued relevance by finding a perfect slot in the global calendar.
A look at the teams in Group B and their projected order of finsh:
The Mexican Football Federation has banned eight players from taking part at next month's Copa America tournament in Argentina after they were caught bringing women back to the team hotel.
Japan's national soccer team will not play as a guest nation at the Copa America tournament in Argentina after failing to secure the release of the earthquake-hit country's Europe-based players.
Japan's national football team will not play at the prestigious Copa America tournament in July due to the earthquake and tsunami that caused devastation in the island nation last month.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) received a letter Monday that contained a very special invitation: the chance for Spain to play in the Copa América, to be held in Argentina in July. And yes, you did read that right: Spain -- the European champion -- was invited to play in the Copa América, the American championship.
RIO DE JANEIRO -- I took a wander from my apartment here on Monday and one of the first people I saw was Ronaldinho, sitting enjoying a leisurely beer in a temporary break from the revelries of Carnaval. Seated to his right was another Ronaldinho, doing the same thing. On his left, yet another ...
I figured it was time for a soccer Mailbag, so the 'Bag (that's me) decided to put one together for this week's Planet Fútbol column. Let's dig in:
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