Brazil had more than 75% possession in the first half and had a goal disallowed for offside but struggled to crack open the disciplined Costa Rican defence.

Eight years ago, Messi was part of the Argentina team which lost the Copa America final on penalties to Chile at the New Jersey venue -- with the striker missing his team's first effort in the shoot-out.

Colombia's ninth consecutive win maintained an impressive run of 19 victories and five draws since March 2022, with their last defeat a 1-0 loss to Argentina in February 2022.

This year, the Argentina captain gets to celebrate his birthday with the national team in the middle of the Copa America, ahead of their Tuesday Group A fixture against Chile in New Jersey.

"The hierarchy (of Brazil) is respected, but not feared. If you're afraid to play, you don't show up," the coach told a press conference on Sunday.

Brazil open their 2024 Copa America campaign against Costa Rica on Monday in Los Angeles with a whole new look almost from top to bottom, with Real Madrid's rising star Vinicius Jr leading a group that were waiting for an opportunity for a fresh start.

Uruguay's win saw them move level with the United States on three points. The U.S. beat Bolivia 2-0 in the day's other Group C match.

The 62-year-old coach took over the reigns of the 'Selecao' in January with the team having endured a poor start to World Cup qualification in South America.

USA captain Pulisic curled in a superb early goal before teeing up a second for striker Folarin Balogun just before half-time at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Brazil's teenage prodigy Endrick will be hoping to make his first appearance for the national team at a major tournament when his country take on Costa Rica in their Copa America opener on Monday.

Ecuador were forced to play with 10 men from the 22nd minute of the game at Levi Stadium when striker Enner Valencia was sent off for dangerous play.

This year's tournament brings together 10 South American teams and six invited nations from the North and Central America and the Caribbean Confederation (CONCACAF) in the second Copa hosted by the United States.

Chile had goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to thank for securing a 0-0 draw against Peru in their Copa America opener on Friday in a result that left Group A wide open.

Lionel Messi's latest quest for international glory in the twilight of his career is off to a smooth start with Argentina's 2-0 win over Canada at the Copa America opening.

Messi's appearances have been spread across seven editions of the Copa, starting with the 2007 tournament in Venezuela.

Scaloni said the surface made it difficult for his team to play their normal game and take the tactical approach he prefers.

Canada coach Jesse Marsch said Argentina should be fined after they came out late for the start of the second half in their Copa America match on Thursday.

World champions Argentina opened their bid for back-to-back Copa America titles with a 2-0 win over Canada in front of a crowd of 70,564 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday.

The Argentines, who won the tournament in 2021 and went on to hoist the 2022 World Cup, are no strangers to Copa America success.

The tournament brings together 10 South American teams and six from North and Central America and the Caribbean in the second Copa hosted by the United States.