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Before talking about goals, let us address why international football is special. It is the stage where fans get to see their favorite players from club football don their international jerseys to play for a bigger purpose.
The players often thrive on the massive pressure bestowed upon them by an entire nation. The kind of adrenaline rush and motivation they go through is second to none.
All these elements make the game at the international level much more difficult than club football. The same goes for the number of goals scored as well. The 2021 Copa America saw 65 goals being scored across 28 matches.
Argentina and Brazil are tied at the top when it comes to scoring the highest number of goals (12) in the tournament. While Brazil had a three-goal advantage over their rivals in the number of group stage goals scored, Argentina pulled themselves level in the knockout phase.
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On that note, let us take a moment to look at the top 5 goals scored at Copa America 2021.
#5 Eduardo Vargas vs Uruguay
The group stage game between Chile and Uruguay wasn't too exciting until the 26th minute. The Atlético Mineiro striker scored the first goal of the match to provide the former Copa America champs with a lead.
Eduardo Vargas linked up with Ben Brereton for a one-two before carrying the ball deep into the box all by himself. However, in an attempt to avoid the Uruguayan defenders, Vargas found himself in an awkward angle, away from the post.
Nevertheless, the Chile number 11 hit the ball with some force, aiming towards the farthest side of the post. Fernando Muslera who was covering the first pole couldn't do much about Vargas' power-packed shot
The game ended in a draw following an own goal from Arturo Vidal, but Vargas' goal remained the talking point of the match.
#4 Lionel Messi vs Chile
The Argentine captain's inch-perfect free-kicks are a nightmare for any goalkeeper. His free-kicks combined with precision and power can make any distance look silly.
Leo Messi opened his goalscoring tally for Argentina with a sensational free-kick goal in the Albiceleste's first Copa America 2021 fixture. Erick Pulgar's reckless slide tackle on Lo Celso earned him a yellow card and handed Argentina a free-kick.
The skipper placed the ball on the ground, which was quite far from the box and hit it with accuracy. The ball glided past Messi's former teammate Claudio Bravo to gift Argentina the lead.
Messi went on to become the joint top scorer of the tournament.
#3 Romero Gamarra vs Bolivia
Paraguay and Bolivia's tournament opener continued to be in the latter's favor for a majority of time. Erwin Saavedra provided his side the lead via a 10th-minute penalty.
Despite dominating possession, Paraguay failed to make an impact as they kept losing the ball in the final third. Nonetheless, the tide turned in the 62nd minute following a long-distance goal from Romero Gamarra, who had missed a sitter earlier in the game.
Paraguayan midfielder Almiron's effort deflected off a Bolivian defender and landed right in front of Gamarra who didn't allow the ball to touch the ground. A wonderful volley ended up in the back of the net, deceiving Ruben Cordano with a bounce.
#2 Luis Diaz vs Peru
Colombia faced Peru to fight for a third-place finish. The game, which went into extra-time, was pretty intense and had the fans on the edge of their seats throughout.
Peru found their lead right before half time through Yoshimar Yotun. Colombia answered with two in the 49th and 66th minutes via Cuadrado and Luis Diaz. Ricardo Gareca's men didn't give up and fought hard to score the equalizer in the 82nd minute courtesy of Lapadula.
In the starting minutes of extra-time, Colombia's star man stepped up to create a moment of magic. After receiving a back-heel pass from Muriel, Luis Diaz ran towards the inside and put his laces through the ball to send it flying past Peruvian captain Pedro Gallese.
#1 Luis Diaz vs Brazil
Scoring against Brazil is never easy. Especially with Marquinhos and Thiago Silva standing tall in front of the goal. However, Luis Diaz had a different trick up his sleeve against the formidable Brazilian defenders.
In the 10th minute of the group stage game between Brazil and Colombia, the latter found their lead with a scintillating overhead kick. The goalscorer was none other than Luis Diaz.
A superb cross whipped in by Cuadrado was received by Diaz who flew far above the ground to strike it with some venom. The ball whooshed past Brazilian goalkeeper Weverton. It would have been Colombia's match if not for Firmino's equalizer and Casemiro's injury-time winner.
Luis Diaz went on to become the top goal scorer of the tournament (alongside Messi) and earned a spot in the Team of the Tournament.
