Leo Messi played like a God – and it payed off
In a hard fought final against Brazil, Argentina won their 1st Copa América title since 1993. Messi gave it all he had and won his first ever international title. He really wanted to lift the trophy and the stats we gather prove that!
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Basic and Advanced Stat Categories for Our Comparison
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| Category | Description |
| Goals | Goals |
| xG | Expected Goals xG totals include penalty kicks, but do not include penalty shootouts (unless otherwise noted). Provided by StatsBomb. An underline indicates there is a match that is missing data, but will be updated when available. |
| Shots | Does not include penalty kicks |
| SoT | Shots on target Note: Shots on target do not include penalty kicks |
| SCA | Shot-Creating Actions The two offensive actions directly leading to a shot, such as passes, dribbles and drawing fouls. Note: A single player can receive credit for multiple actions and the shot-taker can also receive credit. |
| GCA | Goal-Creating Actions The two offensive actions directly leading to a goal, such as passes, dribbles and drawing fouls. Note: A single player can receive credit for multiple actions and the shot-taker can also receive credit. |
| Assists | Assists |
| xA | xG Assisted xG which follows a pass that assists a shot Provided by StatsBomb. |
| Pass.Comp | Passes Completed |
| Key.Pass | Passes that directly lead to a shot (assisted shots) |
| Pass.Final.3rd | Completed passes that enter the 1/3 of the pitch closest to the goal Not including set pieces |
| SuccDrib | Dribbles Completed Successfully |
| Carries | Number of times the player controlled the ball with their feet |
| Touches | Number of times a player touched the ball. Note: Receiving a pass, then dribbling, then sending a pass counts as one touch |
| Drib.Dist | Total distance, in yards, a player moved the ball while controlling it with their feet, in any direction |
| Pass.Target | Number of times a player was the target of an attempted pass |
| Blocks | Number of times blocking the ball by standing in its path |
| Interceptions | Interceptions |
| Tackles | Number of players tackled |
| Pressure | Number of times applying pressure to opposing player who is receiving, carrying or releasing the ball |
Using the stats above, we created the table below. To read this, count the number of colored blocks above each position. For example, Neymar is 1st in three of the above categories, 2nd in six categories, 3rd in two categories, 7th in one category, and 10th in another.
Goalkeeper Stats
| Category | Description |
| Saves | Saves |
| PSxG | Post-Shot Expected Goals PSxG is expected goals based on how likely the goalkeeper is to save the shot xG totals include penalty kicks, but do not include penalty shootouts (unless otherwise noted). Provided by StatsBomb. |
| Pass.Comp | Passes Completed Passes longer than 40 yards |
| Pass.Att.40yrd | Passes Attempted Passes longer than 40 yards |
| Pass.Att | Passes Attempted Not including goal kicks |
| Throw.Att | Throws Attempted |
| Pass.AvgLen | Average length of passes, in yards Not including goal kicks |
| GoalKick.AvgLen | Average length of goal kicks, in yards |
| Stop.Cross | Number of crosses into penalty area which were successfully stopped by the goalkeeper |
| OPA | # of defensive actions outside of penalty area |
| Save.Perc | Save Percentage (Shots on Target Against – Goals Against)/Shots on Target Against Note that not all shots on target are stopped by the keeper, many will be stopped by defenders |
Using the stats above, we created the table below. To read this, count the number of colored blocks above each position. For example, Chile’s Claudio Bravo is 1st in four of the above categories, 2nd in one category, 4th in three categories, and so on and so forth.
Argentina Led by Messi, Di Maria, and Maradona’s Legacy
Lionel Messi was simply magnificent. He was first in:
- Assists
- Varries
- Distance Dribbled
- Goal Creating Actions
- Goals
- Shot Creating Actions
- Shots
- Shots on Target
- Successful Dribbles
I can’t believe how lucky I am to have had 17 years of watching Messi perform. What a time for football!
Ángel Di Maria was Messi’s partner in crime. He performed great and his goal in the final gave Argentina the title they wanted so bad. Di Maria was 4th in Assists, Goal Creating Actions, and Successful Dribbles
Neymar Led with Fred and Casemiro Controlling the Midfield
Neymar was amazing once more and would have lifted the trophy if not for his ex-teammate at Barcelona, Messi. He had the highest expected assists and expected goals in the tournament. Neymar was also the target of most passes in all teams!
Fred was great in his role in the midfield. He made the most passes into the final 3rd, was 2nd in passes completed, and 2nd in pressure on the opponents.
Casemiro was important as a defensive midfielder. He finished 3rd in interceptions, 4th in tackles, and 4th in passes into the opponents’ final 3rd.
Colombia and Peru put on a great display and impressed
Colombia finished in 3rd place after beating Peru in the third-place match. Juan Cuadrado performed great and was 4th in Shot Creating Actions and Expected Assists. David Ospina was also important in goal, especially with the ball on his feet.
Peru had an impressive Yoshimar Yotun lead them to 4th place with his passes completed (1st), pressure (1st), and touches (1st). Christian Cueva was also great offensively as he was 3rd in shot creating actions and in successful dribbles.