Copa America 2015: Updated Bracket, Top Performers, Biggest Surprises and More
The Copa America, hosted by Chile, nears the end of the group stage, concluding on Sunday, June 21.
This tournament boasts some of the biggest sides not only in South America, but in the world, like Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. There has been plenty of parity and, at times, underwhelming performances.
Let's take a look at some of the top performers of the tournament and some of the largest disappointments. Click here for the full schedule and here for the full bracket of the Copa America.
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Top Performers
Chile's Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas
Off-field issues aside, Chile's attacking options, midfielder Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas, have combined for all five of their team's goals during the Copa America.
They are two of just four players in the entire tournament who have more than one goal. Argentina's Sergio Aguero and Mexico's Matias Vuoso each have two goals.
Vidal has three goals, including two against Mexico in a 3-3 draw, and Vargas has two, one in each of Chile's games.
Playing his club soccer for Juventus in Italy, Vidal has drawn interest from Premier League sides like Manchester United, according to the Daily Star. His performance to start the Copa America will only grab more interest.
The two combined for Chile's second goal against Mexico as Vidal showed off his distributing skills, and Vargas displayed impressive aerial prowess.
The two will look to find the back of the net a few more times against Bolivia in order to win Group A.
Bolivia GK Romel Quinonez
While Bolivia's early run in the Copa America has been improbable, much of it has to do with the play of 22-year-old goalkeeper Romel Quinonez.
In two games, he has allowed two goals, both coming against Ecuador as they attempted to come back from a 3-0 deficit.
He has been extremely busy in this tournament. And he has been extremely good, too.
Quinonez has recorded 11 saves in two games, leading all goalkeepers. Uruguay's Fernando Muslera is second with eight saves.
One of his largest came on a penalty at the end of the first half against Ecuador's Enner Valencia. Bolivia might not have the legs to compete with some of the bigger South American sides, but if Quinonez remains this solid, there is no limit as to where Bolivia can go.
Most Pleasant Surprise: Bolivia
"A los 40' Romel Quiñonez le desvía un tiro penal al ecuatoriano Enner Valencia. Bolivia 2 - 0 Ecuador. #Chile2015 https://t.co/mQgAJYtDhY
— Paraguay Sport Press (@sportpress_py) June 15, 2015"
After holding a World Cup side in Mexico, although weakened, to a goalless draw, Bolivia went and stunned another World Cup participant from last year, Ecuador, 3-2.
Bolivia had to withstand a late Ecuador charge after scoring the first three goals of the match. Their victory was the first in the Copa America since 1997. It was also the first time Bolivia beat Ecuador in the tournament since 1949. BeIn Sports' Tancredi Palmeri summed up Bolivia's triumph perfectly:
The lowest-ranked team in the tournament, Bolivia was placed at 89th in the latest FIFA World Rankings. They are currently tied with hosts Chile for the lead atop Group A with only Mexico capable of catching them for the second spot.
Bolivia will play Chile on Friday, June 19 for the group title.
Most Disappointing Performance: Colombia
Colombia came into the Copa America as the fourth-ranked team in the world. That's higher than tournament sides Brazil and Uruguay, who are fifth and eighth, respectively.
At the moment, they have only played one game in the tournament, and it came against Venezuela, who is ranked 72nd in the world. Seemed like a pretty simple opener for Colombia, correct?
Not so much.
It was a full-strength side for Colombia that featured the likes of Radamel Falcao, 2014 World Cup sensation James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado. But they laid an egg in a 1-0 loss to Venezuela. It was Venezuela's first-ever win at the Copa America. The Mail's Jonny Singer found Colombia's loss rather unsettling:
Things won't get easier for Colombia either. Their next match comes against Brazil Wednesday, June 17.
