Copa América Centenario is almost upon us and the oldest international football tournament is all set to be one that captivates and illuminates the viewer thanks to sheer quality of players on display. Despite some big names missing out due to Olympics and injury, it still has plenty of star dust.
Unlike many international tournaments, the duration between two Copa America tournaments isn’t always the same and that means several records that have been set a while back are still to broken but there are some that could be broken.
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Here are 5 records that could be broken in Copa America 2016:
1) Jamaica scoring their first Copa America goal
Up until last year's tournament, Jamaica had never played a single Copa America match in their history. But participation in the 2015 tournament in Chile was unfortunately not a tournament to remember for the Reggae Boyz as they not only lost all three group games but also failed to score a single goal in the tournament.
While they didn't exactly embarrass themselves in the tournament, they do have an unwanted record to their name. Of the 16 teams to have taken part in the tournament's 100-year history, they are the only team to have never scored a goal or taken a single point in the tournament. While all their three defeats in 2015 were 0-1 losses to Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, no less, they will be looking to get rid of that record in the tournament in USA.
Placed in Group C along with Uruguay, who have won the most Copa America titles, a strong Mexico side and Venezuela, it won't be easy for Jamaica to rid themselves of that black mark. But, they should have enough to score at least a goal in those three games, even if they might struggle to claim a point to lift them off bottom spot in the all-time Copa America table.
2) Most goals scored in a tournament
Copa América Centenario will see more matches played than in any other Copa America tournament in its 100-year history. The presence of 16 teams, which includes sides like Haiti and the attacking fire power that some sides possess is one of the reasons why this tournament has the opportunity of breaking the record of most goals scored in a single tournament.
The current record is held by the 1949 tournament, which saw 135 goals being scored in just 29 matches at a mind-boggling average of 4.66 goals per game. The same tournament also saw the record for most goals scored by a single team in the tournament as Brazil scored a stunning 46 goals in just 8 games, averaging 5.75 goals per game. Although that record is unlikely to be broken any time soon, the quality of attacks means the overall goals record might just be broken.
While it is true that the past few tournaments haven't exactly been high-scoring ones, this one has the potential to break a few records in its special edition.
| Edition | Teams | Matches | Goals | Champions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | 8 | 29 | 135 | Brazil |
| 1947 | 8 | 28 | 102 | Argentina |
| 1957 | 7 | 21 | 101 | Argentina |
| 1963 | 7 | 21 | 91 | Bolivia |
| 1945 | 7 | 21 | 89 | Argentina |
| 2016 | 16 | 32 | ? | ? |
3) Brazil reaching 100 Copa America wins
In the Copa America’s 100-year history, Brazil aren’t the most successful side. In fact, they aren’t even the second-most successful side but they have still managed to add 8 titles to their name, which is more than all the other teams (aside from top two) who have ever participated in the tournament, combined.
While they may not be able to win this tournament as their players are falling like flies, to injuries, there are certainly two records that they can lay claim to. Only two sides have ever won 100 Copa America matches and the Seleção have an opportunity to join them, if they win two games in the 2016 edition.
They are not only on 98 wins in the tournament but also only need two more goals to join Argentina as the only other side to have scored 400 goals in the history of the tournament. While Argentina have scored 437 goals in 183 games, Brazil have 398 goals in 175 games.
All-time Copa America table
| Position | Team | Matches | Wins | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 183 | 115 | 437 |
| 2 | Uruguay | 194 | 107 | 395 |
| 3 | Brazil | 175 | 98 | 398 |
4) Argentina equaling Uruguay for most Copa America titles
Argentina may not have played in the most Copa America tournaments but they have scored the most goals, have the most wins, the best goal difference and points per game ratio in the history of the tournament. But their failure to win a single tournament since Copa America 1993 means that they are not the most successful team in the history of the tournament.
That record belongs to Uruguay who have won 15 Copa America titles to Argentina’s 14. But with the squad and especially the attack that Argentina possess at the moment, few would bet against them going level with La Celeste by winning their first major tournament in 23 years.
The two main teams standing in their way are Uruguay, who have a solid defence to fall back on, even if their attacking duo of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani fail and Chile, who are arguably the most tenacious of the teams in the tournament and are the defending champions as well.
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5) History beckons for Javier Hernandez and Lionel Messi
The chance to make history by becoming Argentina’s leading goal scorer is up for grabs and Lionel Messi, with the form that he is in, will be looking to take it both hands. But he is not the only forward chasing glory in this year’s tournament. Former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Javier Hernandez also has the opportunity to break the goal scoring record for his country.
While Messi is chasing Gabriel Batistuta’s record of 56 goals, of which he is currently six shy, Chicharito only needs two goals to equal Jared Borgetti’s mark of 46 goals for Mexico. With both players expected to play a key role in their respective side’ campaign, it is a matter of when and not if they will break their respective country’s records.
In Messi’s case, if that comes along with a win in the tournament, it would fulfill a lifelong dream of winning a trophy with his national team. Will he do it though?
