Sixteen nations from two federations boarded their flights to the United States harbouring aspirations of 2024 Copa America glory - some more realistic than others - and after 30 games, the victors of the 48th tournament have been crowned.
Defending champions Argentina overcame the loss of Lionel Messi to injury to win an unprecedented 16th Copa America title after beating Colombia 1-0 after extra time in the final in Florida.
Although unsavoury crowd trouble somewhat overshadowed matches in the latter stages, the 2024 Copa America has been jammed packed with many memorable moments on the pitch, and several players can hold their heads high for their performances on the international stage.
It will come as no surprise to learn that players from both Argentina and Colombia feature in Sports Mole's Copa America 2024 Team of the Tournament, but who else occupies a spot in our dream lineup?
GOALKEEPER: EMILIANO MARTINEZ
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Venezuela shot-stopper Rafael Romo deserves an honourable mention, but Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will line up between the sticks in out TOTT after winning the Golden Glove for keeping five clean sheets in six games. The Aston Villa man also made two crucial saves in the penalty-shootout win over Ecuador in the quarter-finals.
Honourable mentions: Rafael Romo (Venezuela), Maxime Crepeau (Canada)
RIGHT-BACK: DANIEL MUNOZ
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Our four-man defence includes Colombia right-back Daniel Munoz, who excelled up until his semi-final dismissal that ruled him out of the final. The 28-year-old contributed to three goals (two goals, one assist) during the group stage and made the fifth-most tackles (22) throughout the tournament, averaging just over four per match.
Honourable mentions: Alistair Johnston (Canada)
CENTRE-BACKS: CRISTIAN ROMERO AND MATHIAS OLIVERA
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Regarded by Messi as the world's best defender, albeit a slightly bias opinion, Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero was a colossal figure at the heart of Argentina's backline. The 26-year-old was named Man of the Match in the final, while he ranked top for passes (348), third for interceptions (nine) and fourth for tackles (24) at the tournament.
Partnering him in central defence, and pipping Uruguayan teammate Ronald Araujo for a spot in out TOTT, is Mathias Olivera who scored the decisive goal in a slender 1-0 group-stage win over USA, averaged just over five ball recoveries per match, won 92% of his aerial duels and helped La Celeste keep three clean sheets in five games.
Honourable mentions: Lisandro Martinez (Argentina), Ronald Araujo (Uruguay), Davinson Sanchez (Colombia), Juan Pablo Vargas (Costa Rica)
LEFT-BACK: JON ARAMBURU
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Ecuador's Piero Hincapie and Canada's Alphonso Davies both impressed at left-back, but they are beaten to a place in our TOTT by Venezuela's Jon Aramburu who at just 21 years of age elevated his game to new heights having only made three international caps before the tournament.
The versatile full-back from Real Sociedad registered two assists in three games and made the joint-most tackles (26), averaging almost nine per match.
Honourable mentions: Piero Hincapie (Ecuador), Alphonso Davies (Canada)
CENTRE-MIDFIELD: MANUEL UGARTE, MOISES CAICEDO AND ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER
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Operating as part of a deep-lying midfield triumvirate in our XI is Uruguay warrior Manuel Ugarte, a hard-working and consistent performer for Marcelo Bielsa's side who has greatly enhanced his reputation following a difficult year at PSG. Pipping teammate Federico Valverde to a spot in our XI, Manchester United-linked Ugarte averaged nearly six ball recoveries and just over four tackles per game as well as boasting an 89% passing accuracy to help Uruguay finish third.
Another workhorse who starred in the States in Ecuador's Moises Caicedo, who continues to thrive as a key cog in Felix Sanchez's machine as a box-to-box midfielder. No player made more interceptions than the Chelsea man (10), who also made the third-most blocks (nine), fourth-most dribbled tackles (nine) and the sixth-most tackles (17).
Colombia's Richard Rios was unfortunate not to make the cut, but the final name in the middle of the park is Alexis Mac Allister, an unsung hero for Argentina en route to Copa America glory. The Liverpool playmaker registered two assists - only bettered by James Rodriguez's six - while no player won possession in the final third more times than the 25-year-old (six), who also averaged seven ball recoveries per game and ranked in the top 15 for tackles (13).
Honourable mentions: Richard Rios (Colombia), Federico Valverde (Uruguay), Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina), Stephen Eustaquio (Canada)
ATTACKING MIDFIELD: JAMES RODRIGUEZ
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It would be foolish not to include the Copa America Player of the Tournament in our lineup! Colombia captain James Rodriguez enjoyed an exceptional renaissance at the Copa America, 10 years on from his Golden Boot heroics at the 2014 World Cup.
The 33-year-old - now plying his trade at club level with Sao Paulo - scored once and registered a record six assists at this summer's tournament, while he also produced the most key passes (20) and most crosses (48) while operating either on the right flank or as a number 10, where he slots into our TOTT.
Honourable mentions: Nicolas de la Cruz (Uruguay), Jhon Arias (Colombia)
STRIKERS: LAUTARO MARTINEZ AND SALOMON RONDON
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Despite starting just two of Argentina's six matches on the way to Copa America glory, Lautaro Martinez needed little time to make his mark on the pitch as he scored five goals - all as a substitute - to win the Golden Boot. The Inter Milan striker netted four goals in three group-stage matches before scoring the only goal in the final against Colombia midway through extra time.
A somewhat surprising name who gave Martinez a run for his money in the race for the Golden Boot was 34-year-old target man Salomon Rondon, an inspiring performer for Venezuela, and a real handful for defenders, who contributed to four goals (three goals, one assist) in as many games. He also won the most aerial duels (21) and had the second-most shots (17) at this summer's tournament.
Honourable mentions: Lionel Messi (Argentina), Jhon Cordoba (Colombia), Luis Diaz (Colombia), Darwin Nunez (Uruguay)
SPORTS MOLE'S COPA AMERICA 2024 TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
Sports Mole's Copa America 2024 Team of the Tournament (4-3-1-2): E. Martinez; Munoz, Romero, Olivera, Aramburu; Ugarte, Caicedo, Mac Allister; Rodriguez; La. Martinez, Rondon
