Copa America fans celebrate Argentina's win at Levi's Stadium
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KGO) -- The Copa America tournament of North and South American soccer teams is taking place in the United States for the first time in its 100-year history -- and it's happening at Levi's Stadium.
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Team USA lost to Colombia in the first game of the tournament Friday. And on Monday, there were two games -- Panama beat Bolivia in Florida 2-1 and at Levi's Stadium, Argentina beat Chile 2-1.
The South American juggernauts came to the Bay Area looking to settle old scores after Chile beat Argentina last year to take home the cup. The Argentinians got their revenge by winning - and they didn't even have to use their superstar to do it.
Click here to view the full Copa America Centenario match schedule and get all the latest stories!
Chile fans were hoping for a better showing since Chile took the cup home last time. "It's only been a year since they won and the team is really strong still, and Messi is injured," Tu Tran told ABC7 News. "Without Messi, Argentina is nothing."
There were three groups of fans at the Stadium. The ones wearing red were cheering for Chile. The ones wearing blue and white were rooting for Argentina. And then there were the Messi fans. "Okay. Messi is awesome. He is a prodigy in soccer. And we all love him so much" Alicia Medina said.
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"I'm not actually wearing an Argentina jersey. I'm wearing an FC Barcelona jersey with 'Messi' (on the back) who is from Argentina," Chris Chuang said. "But we support all of Argentinians because, you know, we're wearing Messi jerseys."
Lionel Messi , one of the richest sports stars in the world, has made millions playing for Barcelona as a pro. Yet he traveled to the U.S. to help his home team Argentina break their 23-year dry spell. They want to bring home an international championship. But the superstar sat out the game, as an alternate player. He never set foot on the field, but his teammates won anyway.
U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati was in attendance at sold-out Levi's Stadium ahead of traveling to Chicago for the Americans' second Group A stage match Tuesday against Costa Rica.
Click here to view the full Copa America Centenario match schedule and get all the latest stories!
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The Associated Press contributed to this story.
