After the conclusion of the group stage at this year’s Copa America, we’ve taken a look at the standout performers from the first two weeks of action in the USA. Represented in our Team of the Round of those to have made at least two starts are Chile, Venezuela, Uruguay, Argentina, Ecuador and Colombia.
Former Manchester City and Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo earns a place in our XI, having helped his side to a clean sheet in their group opener against Peru, before succumbing to a narrow defeat against holders Argentina.
Daniel Munoz (Colombia) - 7.81
After impressing following a January move to Crystal Palace last season, Colombian right-back Daniel Munoz has continued his form into the Copa America. The 28-year-old scored in the win over Paraguay and draw with Brazil, while he also managed a huge 19 tackles - more than any other player - four interceptions and eight clearances across the three group games for an average WhoScored rating of 7.81.
Ronald Araujo (Uruguay) - 7.73
The first of two Uruguayan Araujos to make our XI is the Barcelona defender, who helped his side to three wins from three in the group stage, along with two clean sheets. The 25-year-old managed four tackles and six interceptions across the three games, while he also provided an assist in the 5-0 thrashing of Bolivia.
Cristian Romero (Argentina) - 7.72
Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero joins Araujo in our backline, having started - and kept clean sheets - in Argentina’s first two victories against Canada and Chile. Over both games, Romero managed 14 tackles, four interceptions, six clearances and four aerial wins for a WhoScored rating of 7.72.
Jon Aramburu (Venezuela) - 8.10
Real Sociedad full-back Jon Aramburu rounds off the defence having started Venezuela’s second and third group games, as they maintained a 100% record with wins over Mexico and Jamaica. The 21-year-old provided an assist against Jamaica, while he also made an impressive 15 tackles across the two matches he started.
James Rodriguez (Colombia) - 8.12
Former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez, who now plies his trade for Brazilian side Sso Paulo, continues to shine on the international stage when called upon. The 32-year-old registered three assists across Colombia’s impressive group phase, along with 11 key passes and six shots on goal for an average WhoScored rating of 8.12.
Manuel Ugarte (Uruguay) - 7.77
Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte, linked heavily with Manchester United in recent weeks, earns a place in our XI following three strong displays under Marcelo Bielsa. The 23-year-old made a whopping 18 tackles across the three victories, along with six interceptions, one key pass and two successful dribbles.
Moises Caicedo (Ecuador) - 7.75
Chelsea’s £115m man Moises Caicedo joins Ugarte in midfield having turned in three strong performances for his country across the group stage. In all, Caicedo managed 11 tackles, nine interceptions, five key passes and three successful dribbles.
Maximiliano Araujo (Uruguay) - 7.88
One of the stars of the group stage as Uruguay won all three matches was 24-year-old winger Maximiliano Araujo, who scored in each of the two games he started. The Toluca man also registered an assist in the win over Bolivia, to go with three key passes and four successful dribbles throughout the group phase.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 8.51
With a WhoScored rating of 8.51, Argentina icon Lionel Messi is our Copa America Player of the Group Stage. The Inter Miami man impressed as he started both of his side’s opening two matches, providing an assist in the win over Canada, along with 10 key passes, eight successful dribbles and seven shots on goal. Despite playing one game fewer than the majority, Messi created at least three more big chances (6) than any other player throughout the group phase.
Rounding off our Team of the Group Stage is Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, who maintained his deadly form for his country as he scored in Uruguay’s opening two wins over Panama and Bolivia. The 25-year-old mustered an impressive 13 shots on goal across the three matches, along with two key passes and 10 successful dribbles for an average WhoScored rating of 7.94.
