Brazil dominated the 2007 Copa América, but a referee's secret remains.
In short: While Brazil secured a convincing 3–0 victory over Argentina to claim the 2007 Copa América title, a controversial shadow lingers over the tournament. Years later, a former official admitted to a startling deal involving Lionel Messi that may have altered the path to the final.
The 2007 edition of the South American championship was the first to be hosted in Venezuela. Organized by CONMEBOL, the tournament featured all ten South American nations plus two invited CONCACAF teams. While the United States initially declined due to Major League Soccer scheduling conflicts, they ultimately participated alongside Mexico, bringing the total to twelve teams.
The tournament was a high-scoring affair, with 86 goals recorded across 26 matches—an average of 3.31 goals per game. As the defending champions, Brazil triumphed 3–0 over Argentina in the final, earning their spot representing CONMEBOL at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Mexico secured third place after a 3–1 victory over Uruguay.
However, the tournament is remembered for a revelation made in September 2024 by former Chilean referee Carlos Chandía. Chandía claimed that during the semi-final against Mexico, he intentionally withheld a second yellow card from Lionel Messi for a deliberate handball. According to Chandía, he traded the booking for Messi's match-worn jersey. This alleged unprofessional behavior reportedly influenced CONMEBOL's decision not to select Chandía to officiate the final.
The event was marked by several logistical and cultural elements, including the selection of Guaky, a scarlet macaw mascot, and the official match ball, the Nike Mercurial Veloci. The tournament utilized nine host cities, including Caracas and Maracaibo, breaking the previous record of seven cities set during the 2004 edition in Peru.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2007 Copa América
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