A Diego Maradona tribute prior to Argentina's first game last night was the perfect way to truly kick off what has been the weirdest of Copa Americas.
The Copa is under way, the fourth in just six years. Usually an every four year tournament, there was an extra competition thrown in for the centenary in 2016, and then the 2023 event has been brought forward so that FIFA could align its international competition schedule.
With Colombia and Argentina due to host originally, the whole thing has been shrouded in chaos from the start. Colombia were removed in March due to ongoing political unrest, while Argentina were forced to give up in late May due to a Covid outbreak in the country. Brazil were named to take over, but with ongoing protests from players and other stakeholders, it was unclear if the tournament would even happen until this week.
In the end, it all got started on Sunday night with a 3-0 Brazil win over Venezuela, and a 1-0 win for Colombia against Ecuador.
Ad while it probably shouldn't have gone ahead, we're still glad to have it. After a mere six hours of European football a day to watch, we'd be starved of the beautiful game in the wee hours without some CONMEBOL action!
Last night, former hosts Argentina made their bow against Chile. Before the game in Rio's Olympic Stadium, there was an incredible Diego Maradona tribute to honour the legend who passed away last November. It was really something to see, and the perfect way to mark his country's entry to the competition.
The incredible 3D light show that was played to Opus' Live Is Life and featured the footage of his famous warmup routine to the song with his kit morphing to reflect all the teams he played for.
¡GRACIAS, DIEGO! 🙏
Emotivo homenaje al astro Diego Armando Maradona 🇦🇷 en la CONMEBOL #CopaAmérica 🏆
¡Eterno 🔟!#VibraElContinente pic.twitter.com/vHKGeXugKm— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) June 14, 2021
While CONMEBOL's tribute to Maradona was truly breathtaking, the context of what could have been hangs over it.
The Rio stadium was empty for the show. Originally planned for Argentina's Copa at home, how powerful would this display have been in front of a raucous home crowd of Argentinians, finally present to honour their favourite son.
Unfortunately that moment will have to wait, but in the meantime, at least the rest of us got to see a hell of a show.
The game itself also produced some memorable moments, naturally from the other great Argentinean Number 10.
Leo Messi was man of the match in a game his side dominated, but could only come out of with a 1-1 draw with Chile.
Messi's free kick late in the first half was pure perfection.
#CopaAmérica 🏆
🔟 Lionel Messi 🐐
🇦🇷 Argentina 🆚 Chile 🇨🇱#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/UqmZbDG3xe— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) June 14, 2021
Eduardo Vargas equalised for Chile early in the second half, scoring on the rebound after Aston Villa's Emi Martinez brilliantly saved Arturo Vidal's penalty onto the crossbar.
You can watch highlights of the game here:
🎬 ¡Dale play! @Argentina 🇦🇷 y @LaRoja 🇨🇱 igualaron 1-1 en la primera fecha del Grupo A
¡No te pierdas lo mejor del partido!#CopaAmérica 🏆 #VibraElContinente pic.twitter.com/ls6If4Rs2Q— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) June 15, 2021
SEE ALSO: Five Great Writers On The Genius And Tragedy Of Maradona
