Fans react to Copa America knockouts having no extra time except final (Getty, iamverycredible/X)

Fans have reacted to the Copa America doing away with extra time in the knockouts except the final, with some claiming that it’s a ruse to give Lionel Messi the trophy. Messi and Co. are the defending champions and are through the knockouts.

With the Copa being a 16-team tournament, the knockouts start with the quarterfinals. Top contenders like Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia have booked their last-eight berths, but 2015-16 winners Chile and hosts USNMT fell by the wayside.

The 2024 Copa America knockouts start on Thursday (July 4) in Houston, where La Albiceleste take on Ecuador. Venezuela and Canada clash the next day in Arlington, Texas. Colombia-Panama in Glendale, Arizona, and Brazil-Uruguay in Paradise, Nevada, on Saturday (July 6) round out the last-eight.

Fans have not reacted kindly to the development, with one reckoning that the Copa cannot be taken ‘seriously’:

“How can anyone take this competition serious(ly)? Euros clear”

Another chimed in:

“They want to be done with it quickly so they can give Messi the trophy”

Other fans shared similar sentiments, with Rachit Shukla tweeting:

“Argentina will win it all. It’s pretty much given. They have the squad, and the coach, and the juice.”

Larry Fishburger commented:

“Gotta be the most unserious tournament I’ve ever seen”

Out Of Context Real Madrid posted:

“Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia all on the same side. Guess who’s country is with Ecuador, Venezuela and Canada”

Messi and Co. are looking to become the first back-to-back Copa champions since Chile in 2015-16.

How has Lionel Messi fared at the 2024 Copa America so far?

Lionel Messi is yet to fire at 2024 Copa America.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi is yet to open his account at the ongoing 2024 Copa America, going scoreless in two games. He did register an assist – in the 2-0 win over Canada – but missed the third outing due to injury.

It’s the first time the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has endured a scoreless group-stage campaign at the Copa. However, he will look to break his duck when Lionel Scaloni’s side take on Ecuador on Thursday for a place in the last-four.

La Albiceleste have made at least the semifinals at the last four Copas, reaching the final thrice (2015-16, 2021), winning the last one by beating hosts Brazil 1-0 at the Maracana.