Copa America 2016: 7 interesting facts about the tournament

Within a few hours, one of the most highly anticipated international tournament will begin as some of the best Latin American teams face each other in the 45th edition of the Copa America.

Only last year, the 44th edition was played. However, with 2016 bringing the 100th anniversary of the tournament, we are going to be delighted with another edition of this prestigious tournament.

Will Lionel Messi finally win his first international trophy with the team? Only time will tell. However, we will focus on the things that the clock has already revealed to us as here are 7 interesting facts about the Copa America…

#1 Paraguay reached the final without winning a game

In order to reach a final of the tournament, a team must win a few games here and there to ensure their place in the penultimate game of it all. That’s what we know, that’s what we believe. But is it entirely true?

The answer is a glaring no.

In the 2011 edition of the tournament, Paraguay managed to do something no other team ever could. Paraguay managed to sneak into the final without winning a single game. They drew all 3 matches in the group phase, before winning the quarter-final and the semi-final on penalties to seal a place in the final, where they ultimately lost to Uruguay.

They say that a good attack wins games, whereas a great defense wins tournaments. Paraguay’s tight defense almost got them there.