With the 2019 Copa America competition fast approaching, 888sport look back at six of the most memorable shock results in the tournament’s illustrious history.
Brazil and Argentina have combined for 22 Copa America titles but both have suffered embarrassing defeats in this competition over the years.
According to the latest football betting odds, Brazil are 13/10 to win the Copa America 2019 with Argentina next up at 15/4.
Fans of both countries will be hoping to avoid a shock loss in this year’s competition – here are six of the biggest shocks in Copa America history...
Copa America 1995: USA 3-0 Argentina
Only Uruguay (15) have won more Copa America titles than Argentina but the Albiceleste slumped to one of their worst ever defeats back in 1995.
Requiring just one point to secure top spot in Group C, Argentina fell to a shocking 3-0 defeat to the United States. That defeat meant that Argentina had to face fellow South American heavyweights Brazil in the quarter-finals.
For neutrals, Argentina’s failure to secure a draw was a disaster as many had expected the two powerhouses to reach the Copa America final. Instead, the match went to penalties and Brazil advanced to the next round.
Copa America 2007: Mexico 2-0 Brazil
Cast your minds back to 2007. Brazil were reeling after disappointing at the 2006 World Cup and most fans expected the Selecao, with the likes of Robinho, Gilberto Silva and Maicon in the squad, to bounce back and win the Copa America crown.
They didn’t get off to the best of starts in their opening fixture against Mexico though. Brazil's opponents scored twice in the space of five minutes in the first half and Brazil never recovered.
However, things got better for the five-time World Cup winners – Brazil went on to lift the trophy, beating Argentina 3-0 in the Copa America 2007 showpiece.
Copa America 1997: Peru 2-1 Argentina
Two years after that defeat to the United States and Argentina were making headlines for the wrong reasons again. Argentina pulled a goal back but Peru held on to reach the Copa America semi-finals for the first time since 1983.
Peru will be hoping to spring another shock this summer – the South American minnows are 8/1 to win Group A in the Copa America 2019 odds.
They’ll have to get past Brazil to do so but this competition has a history of throwing up shock results!
Copa America 2011: Quarter-Finals Mayhem
As hosts, Argentina were expected to lay down a strong challenge to win the Copa America in 2011 but it wasn’t to be. In fact, Argentina and Brazil both fell short at the last-eight stage in one of the most dramatic tournaments in recent memory.
Uruguay took Argentina to penalties and emerged victorious while Paraguay also got the better of Brazil from 12 yards.
With both major nations crashing out at such an early stage, Copa America fans were left speechless and neutrals were sad to see neither Argentina or Brazil in the final. Eventual winners Uruguay weren’t complaining though…
Copa America 1999: Argentina 0-3 Colombia
One of the most memorable Copa America encounters of all-time. Argentina were blessed with quality in almost every position, with the likes of Martin Palermo, Walter Samuel and a certain Diego Simeone pulling the strings.
However, things didn’t pan out as expected in this Copa America group stage fixture. Palermo missed an incredible three penalties during the 3-0 defeat.
In doing so, he became the first player in international football to miss three penalties in a single game – and that remains a Copa America record to this day. Argentina still scraped through but fell short in the knockout stages against old rivals Brazil.
Copa America 2001: Brazil 0-2 Honduras
Two years after winning the Copa America crown in 1999, Brazil suffered a humiliating exit at the hands of Honduras.
Brazil had reached the World Cup final three years prior to this defeat but it wasn’t to be as Saul Martinez notched a brace to dump the Selecao out of the tournament. To this day, it remains one of Brazil’s darkest moments.
Brazil put seven goals past Honduras in a Copa America 2019 warm-up contest in June and Tite’s men are worthy favourites. Barring another shock loss, 13/10 for Brazil to be crowned Copa America champions for the ninth time will be popular in 888sport football tips.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
