What Happened to Argentina's Elimination from the 2019 Copa América?

Argentina's campaign in the 2019 Copa América, held in Brazil, culminated in a disappointing 2-0 semi-final loss to the host nation on July 2, 2019. The highly anticipated 'Superclásico de las Américas' saw Brazil secure their place in the final with goals from Gabriel Jesus in the 19th minute and Roberto Firmino in the 71st minute. Lionel Messi and his teammates struggled to break down a resolute Brazilian defense, with several penalty appeals for Argentina being controversially waved away by the referee, leading to strong criticism from Messi post-match.

This elimination was particularly painful for Argentina, as it prolonged their then 26-year trophy drought in major international competitions, a significant burden on captain Lionel Messi. The defeat fueled debates about the team's tactical approach under coach Lionel Scaloni and the pressure on its star players. Many questioned if Messi would ever lift a major trophy with his national team, especially after previous heartbreaks in the 2014 World Cup final and multiple Copa América finals.

However, the 2019 Copa América exit, while disheartening at the time, appears in hindsight to have been a crucial turning point. The experience seemingly galvanized the squad and coaching staff. Under Scaloni's continued leadership, Argentina embarked on a remarkable period of success. They broke their 28-year trophy drought by winning the Copa América in 2021, defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final at the Maracanã, with Ángel Di María scoring the decisive goal. This victory was Lionel Messi's first senior international trophy with Argentina.

Building on this momentum, Argentina went on to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, triumphing over France in a thrilling final that ended 3-3 after extra time, with Argentina winning 4-2 on penalties. This marked their third World Cup title and first since 1986, solidifying Messi's legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time. The team continued its dominance by successfully defending their Copa América title in 2024, defeating Colombia 1-0 in the final after extra time, securing their 16th Copa América title and becoming the team with the most wins in the competition's history.

CURRENT STATUS (as of 2026-07-11): As of today, July 11, 2026, Argentina is actively competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They have advanced to the quarterfinals after a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory against Egypt in the Round of 16, a match where Lionel Messi played a pivotal role. Their next match is scheduled against Switzerland in the quarterfinals. The team, led by Lionel Scaloni and captained by Lionel Messi, is aiming for back-to-back World Cup titles, showcasing a remarkable transformation since their 2019 Copa América elimination.