Far from Europe, another cathartic victory.

By BY ANDREW DAS from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/3e83GMX

Lionel Messi Tries to Slay His Ghosts

By BY RORY SMITH from NYT Sports Saturday’s Copa América final against Brazil feels like Messi’s chance to deliver the title he and Argentina have chased for a generation.https://nyti.ms/3xvDvrm

Venezuela faces a coronavirus outbreak a day before it is to play Brazil in the Copa América.

By BY TARIQ PANJA AND ANDREW DAS from NYT Sports At least a dozen Venezuela players and staff members tested positive, raising new doubts about the decision to hold the tournament in Brazil.https://nyti.ms/2TmNkZp

The War of the Weary

By BY RORY SMITH AND TARIQ PANJA from NYT Sports Soccer’s biggest stars have been playing almost nonstop for a year. Over the next month, major tournaments like Euro 2020 may be decided by which ones have the most left in the tank.https://nyti.ms/3gmN8Bh

The Copa América soccer tournament will be played in Brazil instead of Argentina.

By BY ANDRÉS R. MARTÍNEZ AND JENNIFER JETT from NYT Sports The games are scheduled to start in about two weeks in Brazil, where the rate of new infections is slowing but cases remain high.https://nyti.ms/3vDFadv

The Copa América soccer tournament won’t be played in Argentina, where the virus is raging.

By BY THE NEW YORK TIMES from NYT Sports Argentines and their government officials had been torn over the wisdom of hosting the championship.https://nyti.ms/3uCyqeD

U.S. Soccer Invites South American Teams for New Tournament in 2020

By ANDREW DAS from NYT Sports The new event would resemble the 2016 Copa América Centenario, which featured all 10 teams from South America and six from North and Central America and the Caribbean.https://nyti.ms/2tE09OX